Meaning
To learn about a new topic.
Cultural Background
In Norwegian work culture, 'å sette seg inn i' is a sign of 'ansvarlighet' (responsibility). Employees are expected to be self-driven in their learning. The phrase is used across Scandinavia (Swedish: 'sätta sig in i', Danish: 'sætte sig ind i') reflecting a shared value of thoroughness in social democracy. In Norwegian universities, 'kildekritikk' (source criticism) is taught alongside the need to 'sette seg inn i' multiple viewpoints. Norwegian law often uses this phrase to describe the duty of a person to be informed (undersøkelsesplikt).
Use it in Interviews
Saying 'Jeg er flink til å sette meg inn i nye ting' is one of the best ways to describe yourself as a fast learner.
Don't forget 'seg'!
Without 'seg', the verb becomes transitive and means you are putting something else into something.
Meaning
To learn about a new topic.
Use it in Interviews
Saying 'Jeg er flink til å sette meg inn i nye ting' is one of the best ways to describe yourself as a fast learner.
Don't forget 'seg'!
Without 'seg', the verb becomes transitive and means you are putting something else into something.
The 'Saken' Collocation
The most common noun to follow this phrase is 'saken' (the case/matter).
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing reflexive pronoun and preposition.
Jeg må sette ___ inn ___ de nye reglene.
The subject is 'Jeg', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'meg'. The phrase always uses 'inn i'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a professional context?
A: Jeg satte meg inn i bilen for å kjøre. B: Jeg har satt meg inn i den nye rapporten. C: Jeg setter meg inn i å spise eple.
B uses the figurative meaning (learning about a report), which is the standard professional usage.
Complete the dialogue.
Sjefen: 'Har du sett på budsjettet?' Ansatt: 'Ikke ennå, jeg skal ____ i ettermiddag.'
This is the most natural way to say you will study the budget.
Match the sentence to the context.
1. Sette seg inn i en annens situasjon. 2. Sette seg inn i et nytt dataprogram.
The first refers to feelings/perspective, the second to a tool/skill.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeg må sette ___ inn ___ de nye reglene.
The subject is 'Jeg', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'meg'. The phrase always uses 'inn i'.
A: Jeg satte meg inn i bilen for å kjøre. B: Jeg har satt meg inn i den nye rapporten. C: Jeg setter meg inn i å spise eple.
B uses the figurative meaning (learning about a report), which is the standard professional usage.
Sjefen: 'Har du sett på budsjettet?' Ansatt: 'Ikke ennå, jeg skal ____ i ettermiddag.'
This is the most natural way to say you will study the budget.
1. Sette seg inn i en annens situasjon. 2. Sette seg inn i et nytt dataprogram.
The first refers to feelings/perspective, the second to a tool/skill.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, but it means empathizing with their situation, not 'learning' the person like a subject.
It is neutral. It works in both a business report and a chat with your mom.
'Å lære' is general. 'Å sette seg inn i' implies a specific, often complex, topic you are investigating.
No, it must be 'inn i'. 'Inn på' would imply entering a room or a website, but not necessarily understanding it.
You can say 'Jeg holder på å sette meg inn i det'.
Related Phrases
å gjøre seg kjent med
synonymTo make oneself acquainted with
å studere
similarTo study
å mestre
builds onTo master
å overse
contrastTo overlook / ignore
å sette i gang
similarTo start
