Meaning
Feeling unwell.
Cultural Background
The 'Egenmelding' is a right for workers to stay home without a doctor's note for 3 days. It's based on high societal trust. Norwegians often believe 'frisk luft' (fresh air) can help you recover from minor illnesses. There is a strong 'stay home if you're sick' etiquette to protect the community, especially post-pandemic. The word 'sykt' is used as a universal intensifier, similar to 'totally' or 'insanely' in English.
The 't' rule
Always remember to add 't' (sykt) when talking about a child (barnet) or something neuter.
Don't over-explain
In Norway, you don't need to give details about your illness to your boss. 'Jeg er syk' is enough.
Meaning
Feeling unwell.
The 't' rule
Always remember to add 't' (sykt) when talking about a child (barnet) or something neuter.
Don't over-explain
In Norway, you don't need to give details about your illness to your boss. 'Jeg er syk' is enough.
Use 'sykt' for emphasis
To sound more like a native speaker in casual settings, use 'sykt' instead of 'veldig'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'syk'.
Barna mine kan ikke gå på skolen i dag fordi de er ______.
Since 'barna' (the children) is plural, the adjective must end in -e.
Which sentence is correct for a neuter noun?
How do you say 'The child is sick'?
'Barnet' is a neuter noun (et barn), so the adjective takes a -t.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi gå på kino? B: Nei, dessverre. Jeg ______ ______.
The standard way to state you are ill is 'jeg er syk'.
Match the usage of 'sykt' to the context.
Context: 'Det var en sykt bra film!'
In this context, 'sykt' means 'extremely' or 'insanely'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Syk'
Physical
- • Feber
- • Forkjølelse
- • Influensa
Slang
- • Sykt bra
- • Sykt gøy
- • Sykt kaldt
Practice Bank
4 exercisesBarna mine kan ikke gå på skolen i dag fordi de er ______.
Since 'barna' (the children) is plural, the adjective must end in -e.
How do you say 'The child is sick'?
'Barnet' is a neuter noun (et barn), so the adjective takes a -t.
A: Skal vi gå på kino? B: Nei, dessverre. Jeg ______ ______.
The standard way to state you are ill is 'jeg er syk'.
Context: 'Det var en sykt bra film!'
In this context, 'sykt' means 'extremely' or 'insanely'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, you can say 'psykisk syk', but 'å slite' (to struggle) is also very common.
'Syk' is a more formal medical state; 'dårlig' is a general feeling of being unwell.
Use 'Jeg er lei av deg' or 'Jeg er drittlei av deg' (vulgar).
Not always. It just means 'extremely'. 'Sykt kjedelig' means 'extremely boring'.
Always say 'God bedring!' (Get well soon).
Related Phrases
å føle seg dårlig
similarto feel bad/unwell
å være sykemeldt
specialized formto be on official sick leave
å kaste opp
builds onto vomit
god bedring
relatedget well soon
