Meaning
Describing a low price
Cultural Background
Norwegians are very price-conscious due to high taxes. Finding something 'billig' is a common topic of small talk. For Norwegians, Sweden is the land of 'billig'. The term 'Svenskepriser' (Swedish prices) refers to significantly lower costs. In Norwegian business, being 'billig' can be a negative. Companies prefer to be 'prisledende' (price leaders) or 'rimelige'. Younger Norwegians use 'sykt' or 'drit' instead of 'veldig' to emphasize how cheap something is.
Silent G
Remember that the 'g' at the end of both 'veldig' and 'billig' is almost always silent in standard Norwegian (Bokmål).
Quality Trap
Be careful using 'billig' for gifts; it might sound like you didn't put effort into it. Use 'rimelig' instead.
Meaning
Describing a low price
Silent G
Remember that the 'g' at the end of both 'veldig' and 'billig' is almost always silent in standard Norwegian (Bokmål).
Quality Trap
Be careful using 'billig' for gifts; it might sound like you didn't put effort into it. Use 'rimelig' instead.
Kjempe- Prefix
Replace 'veldig' with 'kjempe-' to sound more like a native speaker in casual settings: 'Kjempebillig!'
Finn.no
If you want to see this phrase in action, search for 'billig' on Finn.no to find the best local deals.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to say 'It is very cheap'.
Det er ______ billig.
In Norwegian, 'veldig' is used to intensify adjectives like 'billig'.
Which sentence is correct when talking about multiple cheap books?
Bøkene er...
When the noun is plural (bøkene), the adjective 'billig' must take the '-e' ending.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Denne koster bare 10 kroner! B: _________
10 kroner is a very low price, so 'billig' is the appropriate reaction.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You see a high-quality sofa for free on Finn.no.
While all are okay, 'røverkjøp' (a steal) best captures the excitement of a free high-value item.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Price Spectrum in Norwegian
Low Price
- • Billig
- • Rimelig
- • Gratis
High Price
- • Dyr
- • Kostbar
- • Overpriset
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDet er ______ billig.
In Norwegian, 'veldig' is used to intensify adjectives like 'billig'.
Bøkene er...
When the noun is plural (bøkene), the adjective 'billig' must take the '-e' ending.
A: Denne koster bare 10 kroner! B: _________
10 kroner is a very low price, so 'billig' is the appropriate reaction.
You see a high-quality sofa for free on Finn.no.
While all are okay, 'røverkjøp' (a steal) best captures the excitement of a free high-value item.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNot always. It can mean 'low quality' or 'tacky' depending on the context.
No, that is an insult. Use 'gjerrig' if they don't like to spend money.
'Rimelig' is more formal and implies a fair price for the value. 'Billig' just means a low price.
The comparative form is 'billigere'. Example: 'Dette er billigere.'
Use 'billig' for singular (det/den) and 'billige' for plural (de).
It's a standard phonetic rule in Norwegian for many words ending in -ig.
No, use 'veldig billig'. 'Mye' is for uncountable quantities like 'mye vann'.
It's an idiom for a 'steal' or an incredibly good deal.
Yes, which is why Norwegians get so excited when something is 'veldig billig'.
Only if discussing costs or budgets, but 'kostnadseffektiv' sounds more professional.
You can say 'kjempe-kjempebillig' or 'veldig, veldig billig'.
No, they are completely unrelated words.
Related Phrases
Det er på salg
similarIt is on sale
Et røverkjøp
builds onA steal / a bargain
Gis bort
specialized formGiven away for free
Rimelig
synonymReasonable
Kjempebillig
synonymSuper cheap
Dyr
contrastExpensive
