Meaning
Using public transport for travel.
Cultural Background
Taking the bus is a very quiet activity. Talking loudly on a phone or to a stranger is often seen as slightly intrusive. In Oslo, you don't need to show your ticket to the driver when you 'tar bussen'. You just board and have your ticket ready for random inspections. In smaller towns, it is polite to wave at the bus driver so they know you want to 'ta bussen', otherwise they might drive past. The 'Russebuss' is a unique Norwegian phenomenon where high school graduates celebrate in customized buses.
The Definite Article
Always remember the '-en' at the end of 'buss'. Saying 'ta buss' sounds like a robot.
Don't say 'Gå'
Never use 'gå' (walk) when you mean 'take'. It's the most common mistake for beginners.
Meaning
Using public transport for travel.
The Definite Article
Always remember the '-en' at the end of 'buss'. Saying 'ta buss' sounds like a robot.
Don't say 'Gå'
Never use 'gå' (walk) when you mean 'take'. It's the most common mistake for beginners.
Use 'Hopper på'
To sound more like a native, use 'Jeg hopper på bussen' when you are in a hurry or being casual.
Test Yourself
Fyll inn riktig form av verbet 'å ta'.
I går ______ jeg bussen til jobben.
'I går' indicates the past tense (preteritum), so 'tok' is the correct form.
Hvilken setning er riktig?
Velg den mest naturlige setningen:
'Tar bussen' with the definite article is the standard way to express this habit.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: Skal vi kjøre bil til sentrum? B: Nei, det er så dyrt å parkere. La oss ______.
The context of avoiding parking costs suggests using public transport.
Match situasjonen med riktig uttrykk.
Du kom for sent fordi bussen kjørte før du kom til holdeplassen.
'Å miste bussen' means to miss the bus.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Passenger vs Driver
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI går ______ jeg bussen til jobben.
'I går' indicates the past tense (preteritum), so 'tok' is the correct form.
Velg den mest naturlige setningen:
'Tar bussen' with the definite article is the standard way to express this habit.
A: Skal vi kjøre bil til sentrum? B: Nei, det er så dyrt å parkere. La oss ______.
The context of avoiding parking costs suggests using public transport.
Du kom for sent fordi bussen kjørte før du kom til holdeplassen.
'Å miste bussen' means to miss the bus.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYou can, but it sounds like you are picking one bus out of many options. 'Jeg tar bussen' is the standard way to refer to the service.
'Ta bussen' is casual and common. 'Reise med buss' is more formal and often used in travel planning or official contexts.
Yes. You must memorize: ta, tar, tok, tatt. It never follows the regular weak verb patterns.
It's a cultural norm regarding personal space. When you 'tar bussen', you only sit next to someone if there are no other options.
You say 'Jeg sitter på bussen' or 'Jeg er på bussen'.
Yes, 'ta en taxi' is perfectly correct.
Yes, even if you are going from Oslo to Bergen, you still 'tar bussen'.
You still 'tar bussen'. The verb refers to the use of the transport, not your physical posture inside.
It is masculine (en buss -> bussen).
Jeg mistet bussen.
Related Phrases
Å rekke bussen
similarTo catch the bus (just in time)
Å miste bussen
contrastTo miss the bus
Å sitte på med noen
similarTo get a lift/ride with someone
Å reise kollektivt
specialized formTo use public transport
