Den som venter på noe godt, venter ikke forgjeves.
He who waits for good, waits not in vain.
Bedeutung
Patience is rewarded.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Reflects the Norwegian value of 'tålmodighet' (patience), often linked to the slow pace of nature and the seasons. Common across the region (Swedish: 'Den som väntar på något gott väntar aldrig för länge'). Note the slight difference in the Swedish ending. Often used ironically on social media when technology is slow or when a long-awaited 'drop' (like a sneaker or album) happens. Used to justify long-term investments or R&D phases that don't show immediate profit.
The Half-Quote
If you want to sound like a native, just say 'Den som venter på noe godt...' and stop there. It shows you know the culture so well you don't even need to finish the sentence.
Don't use for bad news
Never use this if someone is waiting for something negative, like a bill or a doctor's appointment for an illness.
Bedeutung
Patience is rewarded.
The Half-Quote
If you want to sound like a native, just say 'Den som venter på noe godt...' and stop there. It shows you know the culture so well you don't even need to finish the sentence.
Don't use for bad news
Never use this if someone is waiting for something negative, like a bill or a doctor's appointment for an illness.
The 'T-word'
Norwegians value 'Tålmodighet' (patience). Using this phrase shows you respect this cultural trait.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word in the proverb.
Den som venter på noe ____, venter ikke forgjeves.
We use 'godt' because 'noe' is neuter.
Which preposition is correct?
Jeg venter ____ bussen.
In Norwegian, the verb 'å vente' is followed by the preposition 'på'.
In which situation is this proverb MOST appropriate?
A friend is waiting for their first child to be born.
The proverb is used to encourage someone during a long wait for a positive event.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Jeg har ventet på denne filmen i to år!' B: 'Ja, men...'
This is the natural cultural response to someone mentioning a long wait for something they are excited about.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDen som venter på noe ____, venter ikke forgjeves.
We use 'godt' because 'noe' is neuter.
Jeg venter ____ bussen.
In Norwegian, the verb 'å vente' is followed by the preposition 'på'.
A friend is waiting for their first child to be born.
The proverb is used to encourage someone during a long wait for a positive event.
A: 'Jeg har ventet på denne filmen i to år!' B: 'Ja, men...'
This is the natural cultural response to someone mentioning a long wait for something they are excited about.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, though often with a bit of irony or in social media captions. It's a classic that hasn't gone out of style.
Technically yes, but it's no longer the proverb. Stick to 'godt' for the standard version.
It means 'in vain' or 'without result.' If you wait forgjeves, you get nothing.
'Den som' is singular (The one who). 'De som' is plural (Those who). The proverb always uses the singular.
Yes, if you are explaining a delay to a client in a friendly but professional way.
People often just say 'Den som venter på noe godt...' and leave the rest implied.
You don't! The 'g' is silent. It sounds like 'for-yay-vess'.
No, most European languages have a version, but the Norwegian one is very common in daily speech.
Yes! If you are waiting for a date or a friend, it's a very sweet thing to say.
There isn't a direct proverb opposite, but 'å kaste bort tiden' (to waste time) is the conceptual opposite.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Tålmodighet er en dyd
similarPatience is a virtue.
Å vente forgjeves
contrastTo wait in vain.
Den som ler sist, ler best
similarHe who laughs last, laughs best.
Smør deg med tålmodighet
builds onButter yourself with patience (Be very patient).
