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B2 verb 9 min read

ansette

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ansette in 30 Seconds

Explanation ansette in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'ansette' means 'to hire' or 'to give someone a job'. It is a word you might hear when talking about work. For example, if you say 'Jeg har en jobb', you might also hear 'De skal ansette meg'. At this level, don't worry too much about the complex grammar. Just remember that it is about starting a new job. You can think of it as the opposite of 'slutte' (to quit). If you are looking for work, you want a company to 'ansette' you. It is a useful word to recognize in simple job advertisements or when talking about your family and friends' jobs. For instance, 'Min søster skal ansette en hjelper' (My sister is going to hire a helper).

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'ansette' in more complete sentences. You should learn its basic forms: 'ansette' (infinitive), 'ansetter' (present), and 'ansatte' (past). You will often see it used with the word 'som' (as) to describe a job title, like 'De ansetter ham som sjåfør' (They are hiring him as a driver). You might also encounter the noun 'ansatt', which means 'employee'. For example, 'Jeg er ansatt i en butikk' means 'I am employed in a shop'. This is a very common way to describe your work status. At this stage, you should be able to understand simple news stories about companies hiring more people or advertisements looking for new staff.

By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'ansette' in both active and passive forms. The passive form 'å bli ansatt' (to be hired) is very frequent in Norwegian. You should also understand the difference between 'å ansette' and 'å rekruttere'. 'Rekruttere' is the process of looking for people, while 'ansette' is the final act of hiring them. You will hear this word in professional settings, such as job interviews or meetings. For example, 'Vi vurderer å ansette flere vikarer' (We are considering hiring more substitutes). You should also be aware of related words like 'ansettelse' (employment/hiring) and 'ansettelsesforhold' (employment relationship). Understanding these terms will help you read more complex texts about the labor market.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'ansette' with precision in professional and academic contexts. You should understand the nuances between 'ansette', 'hyre', and 'engasjere'. You will often encounter 'ansette' in formal documents, such as employment contracts ('ansettelsesavtale'). You should be able to discuss labor market trends, such as 'lav vilje til å ansette' (low willingness to hire) during economic downturns. You should also be familiar with the various prepositions used with the word, such as 'ansatt i' (employed in/at a company) and 'ansatt ved' (employed at an institution like a university). Your ability to use the word in complex sentences, such as 'Det er avgjørende å ansette personer med tverrfaglig kompetanse', shows a high level of proficiency.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the legal and administrative implications of the word 'ansette'. This includes knowing how it relates to the 'Arbeidsmiljøloven' (Working Environment Act) in Norway. You should be able to use the word in sophisticated discussions about human resource management, organizational psychology, and economic policy. For instance, you might analyze the impact of 'midlertidige ansettelser' (temporary hires) on job security. You should also be comfortable with idiomatic or highly formal expressions, such as 'å ansette på prøvetid' (to hire on a probationary period). At this level, you can also appreciate the subtle differences in tone when using 'ansette' versus 'utnevne' (to appoint) for high-ranking positions.

At the C2 level, 'ansette' is a word you use with complete mastery, understanding all its historical, legal, and social connotations. You can use it in highly specialized fields, such as labor law or macroeconomics, to discuss complex concepts like 'ansettelsesstopp' (hiring freeze) or 'fortrinnsrett til ny ansettelse' (preferential right to new employment). You are able to critique the language used in recruitment and recognize the subtle power dynamics implied by the act of 'ansettelse'. You can also use the word creatively in literature or high-level rhetoric. Your command of the word and its entire family (ansettelse, ansatt, nyansatt, etc.) is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, allowing you to navigate any professional or academic environment in Norway with ease.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ansette in 30 Seconds

Ansette is the primary Norwegian verb for hiring or employing a person for a job or role.
It is used in professional contexts and follows a weak conjugation pattern: ansette, ansetter, ansatte, har ansatt.
The word is specifically for human employment, unlike 'leie', which is used for renting objects or temporary services.
Commonly seen in job ads, business news, and administrative law, it is a key term for the Norwegian labor market.

The Norwegian verb ansette is a fundamental term in the world of work and professional life. At its core, it means to hire or employ someone for a specific position or role. While it might seem straightforward, the nuances of its usage reflect the structured nature of the Norwegian labor market. When an organization decides that a candidate is the right fit for a job, they perform the act of ansettelse (the noun form), which is the formal process of bringing them onto the payroll. This word is predominantly used in formal and professional contexts, such as human resources, business news, and administrative discussions. However, it also appears in daily conversation when people discuss their career transitions or the growth of local businesses.

Formal Recruitment: In professional settings, ansette denotes the final decision in a recruitment process. It implies a legal contract and a long-term commitment between the employer and the employee.
Public Sector: In the Norwegian public sector, the process of ansettelse is strictly regulated by law to ensure fairness and transparency, making this word a staple of administrative law.

Bedriften planlegger å ansette ti nye utviklere før året er omme.

Understanding ansette also requires recognizing its past participle form, ansatt, which functions as both a verb form and a noun meaning 'employee'. If you are 'ansatt i en bank', you are employed at a bank. This dual role makes the word incredibly versatile. In Norway, where the 'Nordic Model' of labor emphasizes cooperation between employers and unions, the act of hiring is seen as a significant social and economic contribution. Therefore, when a company announces they will ansette more people, it is often viewed as a sign of health and stability in the local economy.

Vi har bestemt oss for å ansette henne på grunn av hennes omfattende erfaring.

Temporary vs. Permanent: Whether a position is 'fast' (permanent) or 'midlertidig' (temporary), the verb ansette remains the primary choice for the act of hiring.

In summary, ansette is the bridge between being an applicant and being a colleague. It carries the weight of professional responsibility and the excitement of a new beginning. Whether you are reading a job contract or listening to a CEO's speech, this word will be your primary indicator of workforce expansion and individual career progression in Norway.

Using ansette correctly involves understanding its conjugation and the prepositions that often accompany it. As a weak verb of the first class (some categorize it as second), it follows a predictable pattern: ansette - ansetter - ansatte - har ansatt. When you want to say someone was hired, you often use the passive construction with 'ble'. For example, 'Han ble ansatt i går' (He was hired yesterday). This is one of the most common ways you will encounter the word in speech.

Styret valgte å ansette en ny daglig leder med en gang.

Prepositional Use: 'i': We use 'i' to indicate the organization or department: 'De ansatte ham i markedsavdelingen'.
Prepositional Use: 'som': We use 'som' to indicate the role: 'Hun ble ansatt som oversetter'.

Another important aspect is the reflexive or complex usage. While you don't usually 'ansette seg selv' (hire yourself) unless you are a business owner, the word frequently appears in discussions about 'nyansettelser' (new hires). When constructing sentences about the future, the infinitive form ansette is often preceded by modal verbs like 'skal' or 'vil'. For instance, 'Vi skal ansette flere lærere til høsten' (We are going to hire more teachers this autumn).

Det er vanskelig å ansette folk med riktig kompetanse i dagens marked.

When talking about the act of hiring in the past, ensure you use 'ansatte' for the simple past and 'har ansatt' for the present perfect. 'De ansatte ham' means 'They hired him', whereas 'De har ansatt ham' means 'They have hired him'. The distinction is important for clarity regarding the timeline of the employment process. In academic or formal writing, you might also see the word used in the context of 'ansettelsesforhold' (employment relationship) or 'ansettelsesavtale' (employment agreement).

Hvem har ansvaret for å ansette vikarer ved skolen?

Lastly, consider the tone. While 'ansette' is the standard term, in very casual contexts, Norwegians might say 'ta inn' or 'hyre', but ansette remains the most professional and universally understood term for the legal and formal act of adding someone to a workforce.

You will encounter the word ansette in a variety of real-world scenarios in Norway. Perhaps the most common place is in the news, specifically in the business and economy sections. When a large company like Equinor or Telenor expands, headlines will frequently feature the word: 'Equinor skal ansette 500 nye ingeniører'. This usage highlights the word's connection to economic growth and labor market trends. If you are a job seeker, you will see it constantly on job portals like FINN.no, where descriptions often state what kind of person the company wishes to ansette.

The Workplace: In internal meetings, managers might say, 'Vi må ansette en vikar for Kari mens hun er i permisjon'. Here, it is used for practical resource planning.
News & Media: Economic reports often discuss the 'vilje til å ansette' (willingness to hire) among small and medium-sized enterprises.

Er det sant at de skal ansette flere folk i butikken?

In social settings, you might hear it when friends discuss their careers. A friend might say, 'Jeg ble endelig ansatt i fast stilling!' (I was finally hired in a permanent position!). This conveys a sense of relief and security, as permanent employment is highly valued in Norway. You will also hear it in political debates, especially concerning the public sector. Politicians might argue about whether to ansette more police officers or nurses to improve public services.

Kommunen har ikke råd til å ansette flere lærere i år.

Furthermore, if you listen to podcasts about leadership or HR, ansette is a keyword. Experts often discuss 'hvordan ansette de beste talentene' (how to hire the best talents). Even in literature or films depicting office life, the drama often revolves around who gets hired and the power dynamics involved in that decision. Whether it is a formal announcement or a casual chat over coffee, ansette is the standard term that anchors the conversation in the reality of the Norwegian workforce.

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make when using ansette is confusing it with other verbs related to 'using' or 'using up'. Because the prefix 'an-' can sometimes feel abstract, learners might mistakenly use it where they should use 'bruke' (to use) or 'benytte' (to utilize). It is vital to remember that ansette is strictly for the human resource context of hiring a person. You cannot 'ansette' a computer or a new software system.

Confusion with 'Leie': In English, we sometimes say 'hire a car' or 'hire a consultant'. In Norwegian, you 'leier' a car. While you can 'leie inn' a consultant (rent/bring in), ansette implies a more permanent employment relationship.
Confusion with 'Si opp': Learners sometimes mix up the opposites. 'Å ansette' is to hire, while 'å si opp' is to fire or to quit. Mixing these up can cause significant confusion in a professional setting!

Feil: Vi skal ansette en ny bil. (Wrong: We are going to hire/employ a new car.)
Riktig: Vi skal leie en ny bil.

Another grammatical pitfall is the conjugation of the past tense. Since the past tense is 'ansatte' (which looks exactly like the plural noun for 'employees'), learners often get confused. 'De ansatte' can mean 'The employees' (noun) or 'They hired' (verb). Context is the only way to distinguish them. For example: 'De ansatte (noun) var glade' vs. 'De ansatte (verb) ham i går'. Paying attention to the sentence structure is key to avoiding this trap.

Finally, some learners use 'ansette' when they mean 'rekruttere'. While they are similar, ansette is the specific act of finalizing the hire, whereas 'rekruttere' refers to the whole process of finding candidates. Using ansette too early in the process might sound like the decision is already made. Precision in these terms will make your Norwegian sound much more natural and professional.

While ansette is the most common word for hiring, there are several alternatives depending on the context and the formality of the situation. Understanding these synonyms will help you choose the right word for the right occasion. For instance, 'rekruttere' (to recruit) is often used when discussing the broader process of looking for new talent, while 'hyre' (to hire/engage) often feels more temporary or project-based, similar to 'hyre inn' for consultants.

Rekruttere vs. Ansette: Rekruttere is the hunt; ansette is the capture. You recruit many but hire one.
Engasjere: Often used for freelancers or speakers. It means 'to engage' and suggests a less formal employment bond than ansette.

Vi må rekruttere bredere for å finne den rette kandidaten.

Another interesting alternative is 'ta inn', which is more colloquial. You might hear a manager say, 'Vi skal ta inn to nye lærlinger'. This sounds slightly less formal than 'Vi skal ansette to nye lærlinger'. In the maritime industry or for short-term labor, 'hyre' is very common, reflecting its historical roots in hiring sailors. Today, it is also used for hiring bands or entertainers for an event.

De valgte å hyre inn eksterne konsulenter for prosjektet.

Lastly, consider the word 'utnevne' (to appoint). This is used for very high-level positions, such as ministers in the government or judges. You wouldn't 'utnevne' a cashier, but you would 'utnevne' a new CEO or a board member. Knowing these distinctions allows you to navigate the hierarchy of Norwegian professional language with confidence. Whether you are ansette a new colleague or 'engasjere' a consultant, choosing the precise word demonstrates your command of the language.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Selskapet har til hensikt å ansette flere kvalifiserte ingeniører."

Neutral

"De skal ansette en ny lærer på skolen."

Informal

"De skal ta inn noen nye folk i butikken."

Child friendly

"Pappa skal få en ny hjelper på jobben, de skal ansette ham i dag!"

Slang

"De hyra inn en ny fyr i går."

Fun Fact

Many Norwegian professional and administrative words were borrowed from Low German during the Hanseatic period, which is why 'ansette' sounds similar to the German 'anstellen'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɑnˈsɛtːə/

US /ɑnˈsɛtːə/

The stress is on the second syllable: an-SET-te.

Rhymes With

sette lette mette rette slette dette flette hette

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'an' like the English 'an' in 'apple'. It should be more like 'un'.
Making the final 'e' too long. It should be a short, neutral sound.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'ansatte' (past tense), which has a different vowel ending.
Missing the double 't' sound, which requires a short pause/stress.
Stressing the first syllable instead of the second.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, but watch out for the noun 'ansatte'.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct conjugation and understanding of prepositions like 'som' and 'i'.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is key, especially the stress on the second syllable.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'ansatte' (noun) if not listening carefully to context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Jobb Arbeid Sjef Firma Søke

Learn Next

Ansettelse Oppsigelse Permisjon Lønnsforhandling Arbeidsavtale

Advanced

Arbeidsmiljøloven Habilitet Rekrutteringsstrategi Personalansvar Kompetansekartlegging

Grammar to Know

Weak Verb Conjugation (Group 1/2)

ansette - ansetter - ansatte - har ansatt

Passive with 'bli'

Han ble ansatt i går.

Infinitive with 'å'

Det er hyggelig å ansette nye folk.

Compound Nouns

Ansettelse + prosess = ansettelsesprosess.

Preposition 'som' for roles

Hun ble ansatt som leder.

Examples by Level

De skal ansette en ny lærer.

They are going to hire a new teacher.

Future tense with 'skal' + infinitive 'ansette'.

Butikken må ansette folk.

The shop must hire people.

Modal verb 'må' + infinitive 'ansette'.

Kan du ansette meg?

Can you hire me?

Question form with modal 'kan'.

Han vil ansette en kokk.

He wants to hire a cook.

Modal verb 'vil' + infinitive.

Vi ansetter deg nå.

We are hiring you now.

Present tense 'ansetter'.

De ansatte en vaskehjelp.

They hired a cleaning person.

Past tense 'ansatte'.

Jeg er ansatt her.

I am employed here.

Passive state using 'ansatt' as an adjective/participle.

Hvem skal de ansette?

Who are they going to hire?

Interrogative sentence with 'hvem'.

De ansatte henne som sekretær i fjor.

They hired her as a secretary last year.

Past tense 'ansatte' + 'som' (as) for the role.

Vi planlegger å ansette to nye medarbeidere.

We plan to hire two new coworkers.

Infinitive 'å ansette' following the verb 'planlegger'.

Er det vanskelig å ansette folk i Norge?

Is it difficult to hire people in Norway?

Infinitive phrase acting as the subject.

Han ble ansatt i en fast stilling.

He was hired in a permanent position.

Passive voice with 'ble' + past participle 'ansatt'.

Bedriften ansetter mange unge mennesker.

The company hires many young people.

Present tense 'ansetter' with a plural object.

De har nettopp ansatt en ny sjef.

They have just hired a new boss.

Present perfect 'har ansatt' with the adverb 'nettopp'.

Jeg håper de vil ansette meg snart.

I hope they will hire me soon.

Future construction with 'vil' + infinitive.

Hvor mange ansatte de i går?

How many did they hire yesterday?

Past tense question.

Styret har vedtatt å ansette en ekstern konsulent.

The board has decided to hire an external consultant.

Perfect tense 'har vedtatt' followed by an infinitive phrase.

Det er viktig å ansette folk med ulik bakgrunn.

It is important to hire people with different backgrounds.

Adjective + infinitive construction.

Hun ble ansatt til tross for manglende erfaring.

She was hired despite a lack of experience.

Passive voice with a prepositional phrase 'til tross for'.

De ansatte ham for å styrke markedsavdelingen.

They hired him to strengthen the marketing department.

Purpose clause with 'for å' + infinitive.

Hvorfor valgte dere å ansette akkurat henne?

Why did you choose to hire exactly her?

Past tense question with 'valgte å'.

Vi vurderer å ansette flere sesongarbeidere i sommer.

We are considering hiring more seasonal workers this summer.

Present tense 'vurderer' + infinitive.

De har ikke råd til å ansette flere i år.

They cannot afford to hire more people this year.

Idiomatic expression 'ha råd til å' + infinitive.

Han har vært ansatt i firmaet i over ti år.

He has been employed in the company for over ten years.

Present perfect passive state 'har vært ansatt'.

Det kreves grundige prosesser før man kan ansette en ny leder.

Thorough processes are required before one can hire a new leader.

Passive 'kreves' and impersonal 'man' with 'kan ansette'.

Bedriften har sett seg nødt til å ansette vikarer for å dekke behovet.

The company has found it necessary to hire substitutes to meet the demand.

Idiomatic 'se seg nødt til å' + infinitive.

Å ansette feil person kan bli svært kostbart for selskapet.

Hiring the wrong person can be very costly for the company.

Infinitive phrase as the subject of the sentence.

De har besluttet å ikke ansette flere før etter budsjettrevisjonen.

They have decided not to hire more people until after the budget revision.

Perfect tense with a negative infinitive 'å ikke ansette'.

Kommunen vil ansette flere sykepleiere for å forbedre eldreomsorgen.

The municipality will hire more nurses to improve elderly care.

Future tense 'vil' expressing intent.

Er det lovlig å ansette noen uten en skriftlig kontrakt?

Is it legal to hire someone without a written contract?

Adjective 'lovlig' introducing an infinitive phrase.

De ansatte ham på grunnlag av hans faglige kvalifikasjoner.

They hired him on the basis of his professional qualifications.

Prepositional phrase 'på grunnlag av'.

Vi må vurdere om vi skal ansette vedkommende i en prosjektstilling.

We must consider whether to hire the person in a project position.

Indirect question with 'om' and 'skal ansette'.

Selskapet har iverksatt en strategi for å ansette mer mangfoldig.

The company has implemented a strategy to hire more diversely.

Perfect tense 'har iverksatt' with a purpose infinitive.

Det er en utfordring å ansette kvalifisert arbeidskraft i distriktene.

It is a challenge to hire qualified labor in rural areas.

Dummy subject 'det' with a real subject infinitive phrase.

Beslutningen om å ansette henne ble møtt med stor entusiasme.

The decision to hire her was met with great enthusiasm.

Noun 'beslutningen' followed by an appositive infinitive phrase.

De valgte å ansette ham under forutsetning av at han fullførte graden.

They chose to hire him on the condition that he completed his degree.

Complex prepositional phrase 'under forutsetning av at'.

Hvilke kriterier bør ligge til grunn når man skal ansette en ny leder?

What criteria should be the basis when hiring a new leader?

Subordinate clause with 'når man skal'.

Det å ansette venner kan ofte føre til habilitetskonflikter.

Hiring friends can often lead to conflicts of interest.

Substantivized infinitive 'det å ansette'.

Hun ble ansatt etter en omfattende og tidkrevende rekrutteringsprosess.

She was hired after an extensive and time-consuming recruitment process.

Passive voice with complex adjectives.

Vi har ikke til hensikt å ansette flere i denne omgang.

We do not intend to hire more people at this time.

Idiomatic 'ha til hensikt å' + infinitive.

Spørsmålet om hvorvidt man bør ansette eksternt eller internt er omdiskutert.

The question of whether one should hire externally or internally is debated.

Noun phrase followed by a 'hvorvidt' (whether) clause.

Å ansette på tvers av landegrenser medfører betydelige juridiske utfordringer.

Hiring across national borders entails significant legal challenges.

Infinitive subject 'Å ansette' with a complex object.

Selskapets evne til å ansette og beholde talenter er avgjørende for vekst.

The company's ability to hire and retain talent is crucial for growth.

Genitive 'Selskapets' + noun 'evne' + infinitive phrase.

Det ble rettet kritikk mot måten kommunen valgte å ansette den nye rådmannen på.

Criticism was directed at the way the municipality chose to hire the new chief municipal officer.

Passive voice 'ble rettet' and a complex relative clause.

Ved å ansette flere med minoritetsbakgrunn ønsker de å speile samfunnet bedre.

By hiring more people with minority backgrounds, they wish to better reflect society.

Prepositional phrase 'Ved å ansette' indicating means/method.

Ansettelsesstoppen gjør det umulig å ansette de nødvendige ressursene.

The hiring freeze makes it impossible to hire the necessary resources.

Direct object 'det' + adjective 'umulig' + objective infinitive.

De ansatte ham i en nyopprettet stilling som bindeledd mellom avdelingene.

They hired him in a newly created position as a liaison between the departments.

Past tense 'ansatte' with a complex noun phrase.

Man må vurdere risikoen ved å ansette noen uten de formelle kvalifikasjonene på plass.

One must assess the risk of hiring someone without the formal qualifications in place.

Noun 'risikoen' followed by 'ved å ansette'.

Common Collocations

ansette i fast stilling

ansette som vikar

ansette på prøvetid

ansette flere folk

nyansatt medarbeider

ansette en leder

ansette internt

ansette eksternt

bli ansatt i

fullmakt til å ansette

Common Phrases

å ansette på flekken

— To hire someone immediately on the spot.

Han var så flink at de ansatte ham på flekken.

å bli fast ansatt

— To get a permanent employment contract.

Hun håper å bli fast ansatt etter vikariatet.

en midlertidig ansettelse

— A temporary employment or hiring.

Dette er bare en midlertidig ansettelse.

å ansette ved behov

— To hire as needed or on an on-call basis.

Vi ansetter ekstrahjelp ved behov.

å være ansatt hos

— To be employed by a specific person or company.

Han er ansatt hos en lokal snekker.

prosessen med å ansette

— The process of hiring or recruiting.

Prosessen med å ansette en ny rektor tar tid.

å ansette i prosjekt

— To hire someone for a specific project.

De skal ansette to personer i det nye prosjektet.

å slutte å ansette

— To stop hiring (often due to financial issues).

De har vært nødt til å slutte å ansette nye folk.

å ansette kompetanse

— To hire for specific skills or expertise.

Vi må ansette kompetanse vi ikke har selv.

å ansette noen på nytt

— To re-hire someone who worked there before.

De valgte å ansette henne på nytt etter to år.

Often Confused With

ansette vs bruke

Bruke means 'to use' (objects). Ansette is only for people (hiring).

ansette vs leie

Leie means 'to rent' (cars, houses) or 'to hire' (temporary services). Ansette implies a contract of employment.

ansette vs si opp

Si opp is the opposite: to fire someone or to resign from a job.

Idioms & Expressions

"å ansette bukken til å vokte havresekken"

— To hire the goat to guard the sack of oats (hiring someone who cannot be trusted with the task).

Å ansette ham som økonomisjef var som å ansette bukken til å vokte havresekken.

informal/idiomatic

"å ansette med hjertet"

— To hire based on intuition or feelings rather than just qualifications.

Noen ganger må man tørre å ansette med hjertet.

metaphorical

"å ansette for fremtiden"

— To hire someone with long-term potential in mind.

Vi ansetter ikke bare for i dag, vi ansetter for fremtiden.

business

"å ansette seg ut av problemer"

— To try to solve organizational problems by simply hiring more people.

Du kan ikke alltid ansette deg ut av dårlig ledelse.

professional

"å ansette i blinde"

— To hire someone without doing proper background checks or interviews.

Man bør aldri ansette i blinde.

informal

"å ansette en reddende engel"

— To hire someone who saves a difficult situation.

De ansatte en reddende engel som fikk orden på regnskapet.

informal

"å ansette den første og beste"

— To hire the first person who comes along without comparing candidates.

Ikke bare ansett den første og beste du møter.

neutral

"å ansette over en lav sko"

— To hire many people quickly and without much thought (colloquial).

I glansdagene ansatte de folk over en lav sko.

informal

"å ansette seg til fant"

— To hire so many people that you go broke (rare/humorous).

Pass på så dere ikke ansetter dere til fant.

humorous

"å ansette med lupe"

— To hire with extreme care and scrutiny.

De ansetter med lupe for å finne den perfekte kandidaten.

metaphorical

Easily Confused

ansette vs ansatte

It is both the past tense of 'ansette' and the plural noun for 'employees'.

The verb follows a subject (De ansatte ham), while the noun usually follows an article or stands as a subject (De ansatte er her).

De ansatte (verb) ti nye ansatte (noun) i går.

ansette vs rekruttere

Both relate to getting new people for a job.

Rekruttere is the search process; ansette is the final decision to hire.

Vi rekrutterer nå, og vi vil ansette noen i mars.

ansette vs utnevne

Both involve giving someone a position.

Utnevne is for high-level appointments (ministers, CEOs); ansette is for general hiring.

De ansatte en ny sekretær, men utnevnte en ny direktør.

ansette vs engasjere

Both can mean bringing someone in to work.

Engasjere often refers to freelancers or short-term projects without a full employment contract.

Vi har engasjert en konsulent, men vi skal ikke ansette ham.

ansette vs hyre

Similar to hire in English.

Hyre is often used for maritime roles or temporary gigs (like a band).

De hyret et mannskap til båten.

Sentence Patterns

Jeg skal ansette [person].

Jeg skal ansette en hjelper.

De ansatte ham som [stilling].

De ansatte ham som sjåfør.

Han ble ansatt i [firma].

Han ble ansatt i Statoil.

Vi vurderer å ansette flere [folk/roller].

Vi vurderer å ansette flere vikarer.

Beslutningen om å ansette [person] var [adj].

Beslutningen om å ansette henne var riktig.

Ved å ansette [type folk], oppnår man [resultat].

Ved å ansette eksperter, oppnår man bedre resultater.

Det er vanskelig å ansette [type folk].

Det er vanskelig å ansette flinke folk.

Hvem skal dere ansette?

Hvem skal dere ansette som ny sjef?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in professional and news contexts.

Common Mistakes

Jeg skal ansette en bil. → Jeg skal leie en bil.
You cannot employ an object. Use 'leie' for renting things.
De ansetter ham i lærer. → De ansetter ham som lærer.
Use 'som' when referring to a job title or role.
De ansatte (noun) er glade. → De ansatte (noun) er glade.
This isn't a mistake, but a point of confusion. 'De ansatte' can mean 'The employees'. Ensure you know which 'ansatte' is being used.
Vi har rekruttert ham i dag. → Vi har ansatt ham i dag.
If the hiring is finished, use 'ansatt'. 'Rekruttert' refers to the whole process of finding him.
Jeg er ansett her. → Jeg er ansatt her.
Don't forget the 'a' in 'ansatt'. 'Ansett' (without the 'a') is a different word meaning 'regarded' or 'respected'.

Tips

Master the Past Tense

Remember that 'ansatte' is the past tense. Since it looks like the word for 'employees', always check if there is a subject before it to confirm it's a verb.

Ansette vs. Leie

Never use 'ansette' for things. You 'ansetter' a person, but you 'leier' a car or a house. This is a very common mistake for English speakers.

Using 'Som'

When mentioning a job title after 'ansette', always use the preposition 'som'. Example: 'De ansatte ham som prosjektleder'.

Stress the Second Syllable

The stress is on 'SET', not 'an'. Saying 'AN-sette' sounds unnatural. Practice saying 'an-SET-te' several times.

The Noun 'Ansatt'

The word 'ansatt' is very versatile. It's the past participle (har ansatt), an adjective (er ansatt), and a noun (en ansatt). Learn all three uses!

Formal Documents

In formal letters or contracts, use 'ansettelse' (the noun) instead of the verb to sound more professional. For example: 'Bekreftelse på ansettelse'.

Job Security

In Norway, being 'fast ansatt' is a big deal because of the strong labor laws. Mentioning this in conversation shows cultural awareness.

Listen for the 't'

The double 'tt' in 'ansette' is short and sharp. This helps distinguish it from other similar-sounding words.

Use with Modals

Combine 'ansette' with modal verbs like 'skal', 'vil', and 'må' to talk about future plans or requirements in a company.

The 'Set' Trick

Think of setting a person into a specific slot in a company. To 'an-SET-te' is to set them in their job.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'an-set-te' as 'putting someone IN a SET position' in your company. You SET them into their new job.

Visual Association

Imagine a manager placing a small 'Employee' figurine into a slot on a company organizational chart. That act is 'ansette'.

Word Web

Jobb Lønn Kontrakt Sjef Intervju Søknad Firma Karriere

Challenge

Try to write three sentences: one about who you would like to hire, one about when you were hired, and one about a company that is hiring many people.

Word Origin

The word 'ansette' comes from the Middle Low German 'ansetten', which is composed of the prefix 'an-' (at/to) and 'setten' (to set/place).

Original meaning: The original meaning was literally 'to set at' or 'to place in a position'.

Germanic (via Low German influence on Old Norse/Middle Norwegian).

Cultural Context

Always ensure that the process of 'ansette' follows Norwegian anti-discrimination laws, which are very strict regarding age, gender, and background.

In English, we use 'hire' for both people and things (like cars). In Norwegian, 'ansette' is strictly for people. For cars, use 'leie'.

The Norwegian 'Arbeidsmiljøloven' (Working Environment Act) regulates how you can ansette people. The TV show 'The Apprentice' (Norsk versjon: 'Kandidaten') is all about who the boss will ansette. FINN.no is the most famous place in Norway to look for companies that want to ansette.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Interview

Når planlegger dere å ansette?
Hvor mange skal dere ansette?
Hva ser dere etter når dere skal ansette?
Jeg håper dere vil ansette meg.

Human Resources

Vi må ansette en vikar.
Ansettelsesprosessen er i gang.
Vi har bestemt oss for å ansette kandidat A.
Vi har ikke budsjett til å ansette flere.

Business News

Selskapet skal ansette 100 nye medarbeidere.
Det er ansettelsesstopp i kommunen.
De ansatte rekordmange i fjor.
Vanskelig å ansette folk med rett kompetanse.

Workplace Chat

Har de ansatt noen ennå?
Jeg hørte de skal ansette en ny sjef.
Hun ble ansatt i forrige uke.
Er du fast ansatt?

Legal/Contracts

Vilkår for å ansette.
Ansettelse på prøvetid.
Kontrakt ved ansettelse.
Rett til å bli ansatt.

Conversation Starters

"Hvor mange nye folk planlegger bedriften din å ansette i år?"

"Hva er det viktigste du ser etter når du skal ansette noen?"

"Har du noen gang vært med på å ansette en ny kollega?"

"Er det vanskelig å ansette folk i din bransje akkurat nå?"

"Hva synes du om å ansette folk uten formell utdanning?"

Journal Prompts

Beskriv en gang du ble ansatt i en ny jobb. Hvordan føltes det?

Hvis du hadde ditt eget firma, hvem ville du ansette først og hvorfor?

Skriv om fordelene og ulempene ved å ansette venner eller familie.

Reflekter over hva som gjør en person til en god kandidat å ansette.

Hvordan tror du prosessen med å ansette folk vil endre seg med kunstig intelligens?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'Ansette' is the formal and most common word for employing someone in a standard job with a contract. 'Hyre' is more often used for temporary work, maritime jobs, or hiring performers for an event. In most office or retail contexts, you should use 'ansette'.

No, you cannot. For renting objects like cars, houses, or tools, you must use the verb 'leie'. 'Ansette' is strictly reserved for the employment of human beings.

It can be both! 'Ansatte' is the past tense of 'ansette' (e.g., 'De ansatte ham' - They hired him). It is also the plural form of the noun 'ansatt' (e.g., 'De ansatte er på pause' - The employees are on break). Context is key to telling them apart.

You use the passive construction: 'Jeg ble ansatt'. For example, 'Jeg ble ansatt i august' (I was hired in August).

Use 'som' for a role (ansatt som lærer) and 'i' or 'ved' for the workplace (ansatt i en bank, ansatt ved universitetet).

It means 'newly hired'. It can be an adjective ('en nyansatt kollega') or a noun ('den nyansatte').

The most common opposite is 'si opp', which means to fire someone or for someone to quit. Another formal word for firing is 'avskjedige'.

Usually, no. For freelancers or consultants, it is more common to use 'engasjere' or 'leie inn', as they are not officially 'ansatt' (employed) by the company in the legal sense.

Yes, 'ansettelse' is the noun form of 'ansette' and is used very frequently in formal contexts, such as 'fast ansettelse' (permanent employment).

It is pronounced like the 'un' in the English word 'under'. The stress is on the second syllable: an-SET-te.