Meaning
Something is currently functioning or employed.
Cultural Background
In Norwegian offices, 'i bruk' is often seen on digital screens outside meeting rooms. If the light is red, it's 'i bruk'. Norwegians respect these boundaries strictly. The concept of 'ting i bruk' (things in use) is a common theme in Scandinavian design, emphasizing that beauty comes from functionality and daily utility. The phrase is used to discuss the vitality of Norway's two written languages. People often debate which forms are 'i bruk' in different regions. On Norwegian buses and trains, you might see 'Ikke i bruk' on the destination sign when the bus is going to the depot.
Check the bathroom
In Norway, if a public toilet door is closed, look for a small sign that flips between 'Ledig' (Free) and 'I bruk' (In use).
Don't say 'Jeg er i bruk'
This is the most common error. It sounds like you are an object. Always use 'Jeg er opptatt'.
Meaning
Something is currently functioning or employed.
Check the bathroom
In Norway, if a public toilet door is closed, look for a small sign that flips between 'Ledig' (Free) and 'I bruk' (In use).
Don't say 'Jeg er i bruk'
This is the most common error. It sounds like you are an object. Always use 'Jeg er opptatt'.
Dialect use
When talking about dialects, 'i bruk' is the standard term. 'Dialekten er i bruk i Bergen.'
Test Yourself
Velg riktig setning for å spørre om en stol er ledig.
Du er på en kafé og ser en ledig stol.
The fixed expression is 'i bruk' (indefinite, no article, preposition 'i').
Fyll inn riktig form av verbet 'å være'.
I fjor ___ denne metoden i bruk over hele landet.
The sentence refers to 'I fjor' (last year), so we need the past tense 'var'.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: Kan jeg låne saksen din? B: Nei, beklager, den ___ akkurat nå.
'Er i bruk' correctly describes the current state of the scissors.
Match situasjonen med riktig uttrykk.
En gammel lov som ingen følger lenger.
'Ikke lenger i bruk' means it is no longer utilized or valid.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
i bruk vs. opptatt
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDu er på en kafé og ser en ledig stol.
The fixed expression is 'i bruk' (indefinite, no article, preposition 'i').
I fjor ___ denne metoden i bruk over hele landet.
The sentence refers to 'I fjor' (last year), so we need the past tense 'var'.
A: Kan jeg låne saksen din? B: Nei, beklager, den ___ akkurat nå.
'Er i bruk' correctly describes the current state of the scissors.
En gammel lov som ingen følger lenger.
'Ikke lenger i bruk' means it is no longer utilized or valid.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it sounds very strange. Use 'opptatt' if you are busy or 'brukt' if you feel 'used' (figuratively).
'I bruk' is a state (it is currently in use). 'Brukes' is a passive action (it is used by someone). Often they are interchangeable, but 'i bruk' is more common for physical availability.
It is always 'i bruk'. The definite form 'i bruken' is not used in this expression.
It is possible (e.g., 'i bruk av politiet'), but it's usually better to say 'politiet bruker...'.
Use 'ikke lenger i bruk'. For example: 'Denne maskinen er ikke lenger i bruk.'
It is neutral. You can use it with friends, at work, or in legal documents.
The opposite is 'ledig' (for seats/toilets) or 'ikke i bruk' (for systems/machines).
Yes! 'Er latin fortsatt i bruk?' is a perfect sentence.
Yes, 'et bruk' can mean a farm or a factory, but in this phrase, it just means 'use'.
Only conjugate 'å være'. (er, var, har vært, skal være). 'I bruk' never changes.
Related Phrases
å ta i bruk
builds onTo start using something
å bruke
similarTo use
i drift
specialized formIn operation
opptatt
similarBusy/Occupied
ledig
contrastAvailable/Free
