Meaning
To have the opportunity to speak.
Cultural Background
Norwegians value 'turtaking' (turn-taking) highly. Interrupting is often seen as a sign of poor character. 'Å komme til orde' is the polite way to describe the democratic process of a conversation. In Norwegian business meetings, there is a flat hierarchy. Even the intern is expected to 'komme til orde' if they have a relevant point. Silence from the leader is often an invitation for others to speak. In Sami political contexts, 'å komme til orde' is often used when discussing the representation of indigenous voices in the Norwegian parliament (Stortinget). The Norwegian Press Complaints Commission (PFU) often discusses 'tilsvarsrett' (the right to reply), which is essentially the legal right to 'komme til orde' if you are criticized in the news.
Use with 'Endelig'
Pair it with 'endelig' (finally) to show you've been waiting a long time. 'Jeg kom endelig til orde!'
The Silent D
In the word 'orde', the 'd' is almost completely silent in most Norwegian dialects. Focus on the long 'o' sound.
Meaning
To have the opportunity to speak.
Use with 'Endelig'
Pair it with 'endelig' (finally) to show you've been waiting a long time. 'Jeg kom endelig til orde!'
The Silent D
In the word 'orde', the 'd' is almost completely silent in most Norwegian dialects. Focus on the long 'o' sound.
Polite Interrupting
If you need to interrupt, say 'Unnskyld, kan jeg få komme til orde?' It is much more polite than just starting to talk.
Test Yourself
Fyll inn de manglende ordene i uttrykket.
I det bråkete selskapet var det nesten umulig å ______ ______ ______.
The full fixed expression is 'å komme til orde'.
Hvilken setning betyr det samme som: 'Han slapp ikke til i diskusjonen'?
Velg det beste alternativet.
'Å ikke slippe til' and 'å ikke komme til orde' both mean not getting a chance to speak.
Fullfør dialogen slik at den høres naturlig ut.
A: Unnskyld at jeg avbryter, men... B: Vent litt, Kari snakker nå. Du skal få ______ ______ ______ etterpå.
In a structured conversation, we use 'komme til orde' to promise someone a turn.
Match situasjonen med riktig bruk av uttrykket.
Situasjon: En debattleder vil at begge sider skal bli hørt.
A moderator's job is to ensure everyone 'kommer til orde'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI det bråkete selskapet var det nesten umulig å ______ ______ ______.
The full fixed expression is 'å komme til orde'.
Velg det beste alternativet.
'Å ikke slippe til' and 'å ikke komme til orde' both mean not getting a chance to speak.
A: Unnskyld at jeg avbryter, men... B: Vent litt, Kari snakker nå. Du skal få ______ ______ ______ etterpå.
In a structured conversation, we use 'komme til orde' to promise someone a turn.
Situasjon: En debattleder vil at begge sider skal bli hørt.
A moderator's job is to ensure everyone 'kommer til orde'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
No, it must be 'orde'. The 'e' is required for the idiom to be correct.
'Å ta ordet' is active (you take it), while 'å komme til orde' is about the opportunity (you get it).
Yes, for example: 'Det var så mye bråk at jeg aldri kom til orde.'
Usually not, but you can say 'å bli nektet å komme til orde' (to be denied the chance to speak).
Yes, but 'komme til orde' is less informal and more common in professional settings.
It's a fixed idiom. 'Til' indicates a destination or result in this context.
Yes, it's common in essays and news articles about public debate.
Yes, it is a standard expression used in all dialects.
No, adding the definite 't' (ordet) makes it sound like a specific word, not the concept of speaking.
Use 'kom'. 'I går kom jeg endelig til orde.'
No, it is a polite way to signal that you have something to contribute.
Related Phrases
å ta ordet
similarTo start speaking/take the floor
å ha ordet
similarTo have the floor
å be om ordet
builds onTo ask for a turn to speak
å slippe til
synonymTo be allowed in/to get a chance
å avbryte
contrastTo interrupt
