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B1 verb 11 min read

behandle

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips behandle in 30 Seconds

Explanation behandle in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might not use 'behandle' often, but you will hear it in simple contexts like 'behandle pent' (be nice to). You should focus on the idea that it means how you act toward someone. For example, 'Vær snill, behandle hunden pent' (Be kind, treat the dog nicely). It is a long word, but you can recognize it by the 'be-' start and the '-handle' end, which looks like the English word 'handle'. Just remember it's not about shopping (which is just 'handle'). At this level, think of it as a way to describe being kind or mean to people and animals.

At the A2 level, you start to see 'behandle' in more practical situations. You might encounter it when talking about health: 'Legen skal behandle meg' (The doctor will treat me). You also learn that it can mean 'processing' in a simple sense, like a computer or a simple application. You should begin to notice it in signs or basic instructions, such as 'Behandles forsiktig' (Handle with care). The most important thing at A2 is to understand that it takes an object—you treat *something* or *someone*. You don't need to worry about complex passive forms yet, just the basic present and past tense.

At the B1 level, 'behandle' becomes a key vocabulary item. You are expected to use it in professional and social discussions. You should understand its three main branches: medical treatment, social behavior, and administrative processing. You will start using the passive form 'behandles' (is being treated/processed) when talking about your rights or applications at NAV or other offices. You should also be able to use it to discuss themes in a book or movie: 'Filmen behandler et viktig tema' (The movie deals with an important theme). This is the level where you distinguish it from 'håndtere' (to manage/handle physically).

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'behandle' in nuanced ways, including its use in legal and political contexts. You will understand how it's used in the 'Storting' (Parliament) to mean 'deliberating' or 'debating' a law. You should also be familiar with compound words like 'saksbehandling' (case processing) and 'overflatebehandling' (surface treatment). At this level, you should use the word to express complex social ideas, such as 'likebehandling' (equal treatment) and 'diskriminering'. You are expected to use the correct adverbs to describe the quality of the treatment (e.g., 'saklig', 'urettferdig', 'profesjonelt').

At the C1 level, 'behandle' is used with precision in academic and professional writing. You understand the subtle differences between 'behandle', 'bearbeide', and 'drøfte'. You can use 'behandle' to describe the way a researcher approaches a dataset or how a philosopher treats a specific argument. You are also aware of the idiomatic uses and the nuances of register—knowing when 'behandle' sounds too bureaucratic and when it is the exact right formal term. You can discuss the ethics of 'behandling av personopplysninger' (processing of personal data) and the legal requirements surrounding it in Norwegian law.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'behandle' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You use it effortlessly in high-level legal, medical, or philosophical discourse. You can appreciate the historical development of the word from Middle Low German and its relationship to other Germanic languages. You can use it in highly abstract ways, such as 'å behandle et traume' (to process a trauma) in a psychological context or 'å behandle et stoff' in a literary sense. You have a full command of all its derivations and can switch between active and passive voices to create sophisticated, balanced sentences in any formal or informal setting.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

behandle in 30 Seconds

Behandle means to treat, process, or handle someone or something in a specific way.
It is used in medical (treating a patient), social (treating a friend), and administrative (processing a file) contexts.
The word is a weak verb (behandle - behandler - behandlet) and is very common in professional Norwegian.
It often appears in the passive voice (behandles) to indicate that a case or application is currently being worked on.

The Norwegian verb behandle is a versatile and essential term that every learner reaching the B1 level must master. At its core, it translates to 'to treat' or 'to process', but its application spans across medical, social, legal, and technical domains. Unlike some verbs that are limited to specific contexts, behandle describes the manner in which an object, a person, or a piece of information is managed or acted upon. When you are talking about how a doctor cares for a patient, how a computer processes data, or how a person behaves toward their friends, you are entering the territory of this word. It carries a sense of deliberate action and procedure. In a social context, it refers to the ethical or interpersonal way we interact with others, often appearing in the Golden Rule: 'Behandle andre slik du vil at de skal behandle deg' (Treat others as you want them to treat you). In a professional or administrative context, it refers to the formal steps taken to resolve a case or an application. Understanding the nuance of behandle requires recognizing that it involves a subject performing a specific set of operations on an object to reach a result or maintain a standard.

Medical Context: In healthcare, this verb is used to describe the administration of medicine, therapy, or surgery to cure or alleviate a condition. It is the active role the practitioner takes.

Legen valgte å behandle infeksjonen med antibiotika umiddelbart for å forhindre spredning.

Administrative Context: When dealing with the government or bureaucracy, this verb refers to the processing of applications, claims, or legal documents through a formal system.

Saksbehandleren må behandle søknaden din innen tre uker i henhold til de nye reglene.

Social Context: This refers to the quality of interaction between people, focusing on respect, kindness, or the lack thereof.

Det er viktig å behandle alle kolleger med respekt, uansett hvilken stilling de har i firmaet.

Maskinen kan behandle store mengder data på bare noen få sekunder.

Styret skal behandle saken på neste møte som finner sted på tirsdag.

Furthermore, the word is used in academic and literary discussions to describe how a theme or subject is handled by an author or researcher. If a book 'deals with' the topic of war, you would say the book 'behandler temaet krig'. This breadth makes it a powerhouse verb in the Norwegian language. It moves from the tangible (treating a wound) to the abstract (processing a thought or a legal concept) with ease. For English speakers, the primary challenge is not the translation—since 'treat' and 'process' cover most bases—but rather the frequency. Norwegians use behandle in many situations where English might use more specific verbs like 'handle', 'manage', 'deal with', or 'review'. By mastering this word, you align your speech with a more natural, professional Norwegian cadence.

Using behandle correctly requires understanding its transitive nature; it almost always takes a direct object. You are always treating something or someone. The grammatical structure is straightforward: [Subject] + [Verb form of behandle] + [Object]. For example, 'Vi behandler saken' (We are treating/processing the case). In the present tense, it is behandler, and in the past tense, it is behandlet. Because it is a weak verb belonging to the first group (-et in past tense), it is relatively easy to conjugate for learners. However, the passive form behandles is also very common, especially in formal writing or news reporting where the focus is on the object being processed rather than the person doing the processing. For instance, 'Søknaden behandles nå' (The application is being processed now). This passive construction is vital for professional communication in Norway.

Present Tense: Used for current actions or general truths about how things are handled.

Sykehuset behandler hundrevis av pasienter hver eneste dag.

Past Tense: Used to describe completed treatments or past interactions.

De behandlet oss veldig pent da vi var på besøk i forrige uke.

Passive Voice: Extremely common in official letters and technical documentation.

Saken din vil bli behandlet så snart som mulig av vår juridiske avdeling.

Vi må lære barna å behandle naturen med stor forsiktighet.

Hvordan skal vi behandle dette vanskelige spørsmålet i rapporten?

One advanced way to use behandle is in the context of negotiations or discussions. If a committee is 'behandling' a proposal, they are not just looking at it; they are debating it, weighing its merits, and moving it toward a decision. This emphasizes the 'processing' aspect of the word. Furthermore, in computer science, databehandling (data processing) is a standard compound noun. In construction, you might overflatebehandle (surface treat) a wall with paint or sealant. The word is incredibly productive in forming compounds. For a learner, the key is to look at the object of the sentence. If the object is a person, think 'treat/behave toward'. If it is a document, think 'process/review'. If it is a physical item, think 'manipulate/handle'. By categorizing the object, you will always find the right English equivalent and use the Norwegian word with confidence and precision.

In Norway, you will encounter the word behandle in almost every facet of daily life, but it shines most prominently in professional and public service environments. If you go to the doctor (fastlegen), you will hear it regarding your symptoms or conditions. The doctor might say, 'Vi må behandle dette utslettet' (We need to treat this rash). Here, it is clinical and direct. In the news, you will hear it daily in political reporting. When the Storting (the Norwegian Parliament) discusses a new law, the news anchor will say, 'Stortinget behandler i dag forslaget om nye miljøavgifter' (Parliament is today processing/deliberating the proposal for new environmental taxes). This formal usage is ubiquitous in Norwegian media. You will also find it in every digital interface or automated email from a Norwegian company. When you submit an order or a support ticket, the confirmation often says, 'Din henvendelse blir behandlet' (Your inquiry is being processed). This gives the word a slightly bureaucratic but necessary tone in customer service.

In the Workplace: Used during meetings to discuss how to approach a specific project or client issue.

Vi må behandle denne kunden med ekstra omsorg etter den forrige feilen.

In Legal Settings: Refers to the judicial processing of a case in court.

Retten skal behandle ankesaken i løpet av neste måned.

In Technology: Commonly used in software development regarding data handling.

Algoritmen er designet for å behandle personopplysninger på en sikker måte.

Han ble behandlet som en helt da han kom hjem fra den lange reisen.

Kan du behandle dette bildet slik at fargene blir litt klarere?

Socially, behandle is a key word for discussing fairness and ethics. In Norwegian schools, teachers often talk about how students should behandle hverandre (treat each other). It is a word that carries weight; to treat someone 'dårlig' (badly) is a serious social transgression. You might also hear it in the kitchen or workshop. For example, if you are working with a delicate piece of meat or a rare wood, someone might warn you: 'Du må behandle råvarene med respekt' (You must treat the ingredients with respect). This illustrates that the word isn't just about cold processing; it often carries an emotional or ethical component regarding the care and attention given to the object or person. Whether you are navigating a bureaucratic hurdle at NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) or simply talking to a friend about their day, behandle provides the necessary vocabulary to describe the quality and nature of actions and interactions in Norwegian life.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using behandle is confusing it with the English word 'handle' in a physical sense. While behandle can mean 'to handle' in terms of processing or treating, the physical act of holding or manipulating something with your hands is often better translated as 'håndtere' or 'ta på'. For example, if you want to say 'Handle with care' on a box, Norwegians usually write 'Håndteres med forsiktighet', though 'Behandles med forsiktighet' is also used in a more abstract 'treat with care' sense. Another common pitfall is using behandle when you actually mean 'bruke' (to use). If you are using a tool to fix something, you 'bruker' the tool; you don't 'behandler' it unless you are talking about how you maintain it or the specific way you apply it to a surface. Using the wrong verb here can make your Norwegian sound mechanical or overly formal.

Behandle vs. Håndtere: 'Håndtere' is more about the physical or practical management of a situation or object, while 'behandle' is about the systematic treatment or social behavior.

FEIL: Jeg må behandle denne tunge esken. (Incorrect: I must treat this heavy box.)

RIKTIG: Jeg må håndtere denne tunge esken. (Correct: I must handle/manage this heavy box.)

Preposition Pitfalls: English speakers often want to add a preposition after 'behandle' because they think of 'deal WITH' or 'treat LIKE'. In Norwegian, 'behandle' is transitive and usually takes no preposition for the object.

FEIL: Han behandlet meg som en konge. (Correct, but note that 'behandle som' is a specific comparison, not a general requirement.)

RIKTIG: Hun behandler pasienten. (Not: behandler med pasienten.)

FEIL: Vi skal behandle om saken. (Incorrect: We will treat about the case.)

Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with the difference between behandle and pleie. While both can be used in a medical context, pleie refers more to 'care' or 'nursing' (looking after someone's needs over time), whereas behandle refers to the specific medical intervention or the act of addressing a specific problem. If you are in a hospital, the nurses pleier you, and the doctors behandler your illness. Distinguishing these nuances will elevate your Norwegian from 'functional' to 'fluent'. Always ask yourself: Is this a systematic process, a social behavior, or a medical intervention? If yes, behandle is likely your best choice. Avoid adding unnecessary prepositions and ensure you aren't just using it as a literal translation for every time you'd say 'handle' in English.

Norwegian offers several words that overlap with behandle, and choosing the right one depends heavily on the context. In administrative settings, saksbehandle is a more specific version of the verb, used strictly for processing cases or applications. In social settings, oppføre seg mot (behave toward) is a common alternative when focusing on conduct. If you are talking about physical objects, bearbeide is often used when the goal is to change the shape or state of something, such as 'bearbeide metall' (work/process metal). Understanding these alternatives helps you avoid overusing behandle and adds variety to your speech. Below is a comparison of some common synonyms and related terms.

Behandle vs. Drøfte: 'Behandle' is the overall process, while 'drøfte' specifically means to discuss or debate the details of a case or topic.

Behandle vs. Prosessere: 'Prosessere' is a direct loanword often used in very technical or IT contexts (e.g., processing data), but 'behandle' is still the more natural choice for general use.

Behandle vs. Pleie: 'Pleie' focuses on long-term care and nursing, while 'behandle' focuses on the specific action taken to solve a medical problem.

Vi må bearbeide råmaterialet før det kan brukes i produksjonen.

Komiteen skal drøfte forslaget grundig før de tar en beslutning.

Another interesting word is håndheve, which means 'to enforce' (like enforcing a law). While behandle might be used to describe how a law is applied to a specific person, håndheve is about the authority's action of making sure the law is followed. In the realm of psychology or personal growth, you might hear bearbeide følelser (process feelings), which implies a deeper, more internal work than the more clinical behandle en depresjon. By learning these distinctions, you can express yourself with much more nuance. Remember that behandle is the 'safe' generalist word, but as you advance to B2 and C1 levels, using words like drøfte, bearbeide, or ekspedere (to dispatch/process quickly) will make your Norwegian sound more sophisticated and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

Even though 'behandle' comes from the word for 'hand', we now use it for things that have nothing to do with hands, like 'behandle data' (processing digital data).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /beˈhɑndlə/

US /beˈhɑndlə/

The stress is on the second syllable: be-HAND-le.

Rhymes With

forhandle forvandle mishandle innhandle omhandle uthandle mandle sandle

Common Errors

Stressing the first syllable (BE-handle). In Norwegian, 'be-' prefixes are almost never stressed.
Pronouncing the 'd' too harshly. It should be a light transition between 'n' and 'l'.
Confusing the 'a' sound with the English 'handle'. The Norwegian 'a' in 'behandle' is deeper and more like the 'a' in 'father'.
Pronouncing the final 'e' as a long 'ee'. It should be a short, neutral 'e' (schwa).
Mixing it up with 'handle' (shopping), where the 'h' is the start and is stressed.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text due to the 'be-' prefix and common context.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of when to use it versus 'håndtere' or 'bruke'.

Speaking 3/5

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

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in news and professional settings, making it easy to pick up.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

handle sak lege gjøre snill

Learn Next

saksbehandling forhandle drøfte håndtere vurdere

Advanced

ekspedere bearbeide håndheve forvalte ivareta

Grammar to Know

Weak Verbs Group 1 (-et)

behandle -> behandlet. Most verbs starting with 'be-' follow this pattern.

Passive with -s

Saken behandles (The case is being processed). This is the 's-passiv'.

Passive with 'bli'

Søknaden vil bli behandlet (The application will be processed).

Adverb Placement

Han behandler henne *pent* (He treats her nicely). The adverb comes after the object.

Transitive Verbs

You cannot just say 'Jeg behandler'. You must say 'Jeg behandler *saken*'.

Examples by Level

Du må behandle hunden din pent.

You must treat your dog nicely.

Simple present tense with an adverb.

Hun behandler alle med et smil.

She treats everyone with a smile.

Present tense showing habitual action.

Vær så snill å behandle boken forsiktig.

Please treat the book carefully.

Imperative use with an infinitive.

De behandler oss godt her.

They treat us well here.

Direct object 'oss' (us).

Mamma behandler såret mitt.

Mom is treating my wound.

Medical context in simple terms.

Vi må behandle naturen bra.

We must treat nature well.

Modal verb 'må' + infinitive.

Han behandler katten som en venn.

He treats the cat like a friend.

Using 'som' (like/as) for comparison.

Læreren behandler alle likt.

The teacher treats everyone equally.

Adverb 'likt' (equally/the same).

Legen behandlet pasienten for influensa.

The doctor treated the patient for the flu.

Past tense 'behandlet'.

Datamaskinen behandler informasjonen nå.

The computer is processing the information now.

Technical use of processing data.

Vi skal behandle søknaden din i morgen.

We will process your application tomorrow.

Future tense with 'skal'.

Hvordan behandler du dine venner?

How do you treat your friends?

Question form.

Denne kremen behandler tørr hud.

This cream treats dry skin.

Subject is an inanimate object (the cream).

De ble behandlet dårlig av sjefen.

They were treated badly by the boss.

Passive voice with 'ble'.

Kan du behandle dette treverket med olje?

Can you treat this woodwork with oil?

Physical treatment of a material.

Saken blir behandlet av politiet.

The case is being handled by the police.

Passive voice with 'blir'.

Det er viktig at alle blir behandlet med respekt.

It is important that everyone is treated with respect.

Subordinate clause with passive voice.

Komiteen skal behandle forslaget på mandag.

The committee will process/deliberate the proposal on Monday.

Formal administrative context.

Han har blitt behandlet for ryggsmerter i flere år.

He has been treated for back pain for several years.

Present perfect passive.

Boken behandler vanskelige temaer som ensomhet.

The book deals with difficult themes like loneliness.

Literary/Academic context.

Vi må behandle denne informasjonen konfidensielt.

We must treat this information confidentially.

Adverb 'konfidensielt'.

Søknaden din er fortsatt til behandling.

Your application is still being processed.

Using the noun 'behandling' in a phrase.

Hvordan skal vi behandle dette problemet?

How shall we handle/deal with this problem?

Problem-solving context.

De behandlet saken som en hastesak.

They treated the case as an urgent matter.

Noun 'hastesak' (urgent case).

Retten skal behandle anken i slutten av måneden.

The court will hear/process the appeal at the end of the month.

Legal terminology.

Materialet må behandles kjemisk før det kan brukes.

The material must be chemically treated before it can be used.

Technical/Industrial context.

Stortinget behandler nå det nye statsbudsjettet.

Parliament is now deliberating the new state budget.

Political context.

Man må behandle alle parter i konflikten rettferdig.

One must treat all parties in the conflict fairly.

Ethical/Legal context.

Filmen behandler forholdet mellom far og sønn.

The film explores/deals with the relationship between father and son.

Abstract treatment of a subject.

Vi behandler personopplysninger i samsvar med GDPR.

We process personal data in accordance with GDPR.

Legal/IT compliance.

Han følte seg urettferdig behandlet av systemet.

He felt unfairly treated by the system.

Passive participle used as an adjective.

Pasienten responderte godt på måten han ble behandlet på.

The patient responded well to the way he was treated.

Complex relative clause.

Artikkelen behandler de sosiokulturelle aspektene ved migrasjon.

The article addresses the socio-cultural aspects of migration.

High-level academic vocabulary.

Det er avgjørende å behandle kildene med kritisk blikk.

It is crucial to treat the sources with a critical eye.

Metaphorical use of 'behandle'.

Saken ble behandlet i plenum for å sikre åpenhet.

The case was handled in a plenary session to ensure transparency.

Formal procedural language.

Hvordan vi behandler våre eldste, sier mye om samfunnet vårt.

How we treat our elderly says a lot about our society.

Philosophical/Sociological reflection.

Metoden behandler dataene sekvensielt for å unngå feil.

The method processes the data sequentially to avoid errors.

Technical/Methodological precision.

De valgte å ikke behandle klagen på grunn av formelle feil.

They chose not to process the complaint due to formal errors.

Legal/Administrative nuance.

Forfatteren behandler språket som et levende instrument.

The author treats the language as a living instrument.

Stylistic/Literary analysis.

Spørsmålet må behandles i en større sammenheng.

The question must be treated/considered in a larger context.

Abstract analytical context.

Avhandlingen behandler ontologiske spørsmål vedrørende kunstig intelligens.

The thesis deals with ontological questions regarding artificial intelligence.

Advanced philosophical vocabulary.

Rettsmedisineren behandlet bevismaterialet med ytterste nøyaktighet.

The forensic scientist handled the evidence with the utmost precision.

Professional meticulousness.

I denne konteksten må begrepet 'frihet' behandles med varsomhet.

In this context, the concept of 'freedom' must be treated with caution.

Conceptual analysis.

Slik saken er behandlet, fremstår den som et brudd på rettssikkerheten.

As the case has been handled, it appears as a breach of legal certainty.

High-level legal critique.

Han har en unik evne til å behandle komplekse emner på en lettfattelig måte.

He has a unique ability to treat complex subjects in an easy-to-understand way.

Description of intellectual skill.

Vi må vurdere hvordan algoritmen behandler bias i datasettet.

We must evaluate how the algorithm handles bias in the dataset.

Advanced data science context.

Regjeringen har blitt kritisert for måten de har behandlet krisen på.

The government has been criticized for the way they have handled the crisis.

Political accountability.

Dokumentet behandler de geopolitiske implikasjonene av klimaendringene.

The document addresses the geopolitical implications of climate change.

Global policy context.

Common Collocations

behandle en søknad

behandle en pasient

behandle med respekt

behandle en sak

behandle data

behandle pent

behandle urettferdig

behandle et tema

overflatebehandle

ferdigbehandlet

Common Phrases

Til behandling

— Currently being processed or under consideration. Often seen in status updates for applications.

Søknaden din ligger til behandling.

Behandle som luft

— To ignore someone completely, as if they were air. A common social idiom.

Han behandlet meg som luft hele kvelden.

Lik behandling

— Equal treatment, often in a legal or human rights context.

Vi krever lik behandling for alle borgere.

Behandle med silkehansker

— To treat someone very delicately or carefully, often because they are sensitive.

Sjefen må behandles med silkehansker i dag.

Hurtigbehandling

— Fast-track processing or urgent treatment.

Vi ber om hurtigbehandling av denne saken.

Behandle et sår

— To clean and dress a physical wound.

Sykepleieren begynte å behandle såret.

Behandle klagen

— To look into or process a formal complaint.

De nektet å behandle klagen min.

Behandle spørsmålet

— To address or discuss a specific question or issue.

Vi skal behandle spørsmålet om lønn senere.

Behandle som en konge

— To treat someone exceptionally well, with luxury and care.

Gjestene ble behandlet som konger.

Behandle saken i plenum

— To discuss a matter in a full assembly or meeting of all members.

Stortinget behandlet saken i plenum.

Often Confused With

behandle vs handle

In Norwegian, 'handle' means 'to shop' or 'to act'. 'Behandle' means 'to treat' or 'to process'. Don't mix them up!

behandle vs håndtere

Use 'håndtere' for physical handling or managing stress/situations. Use 'behandle' for systematic treatment or social behavior.

behandle vs bruke

Use 'bruke' to use a tool. Use 'behandle' to describe how you care for or process that tool/material.

Idioms & Expressions

"Behandle noen som en hund"

— To treat someone very badly or without any respect. This is a common way to describe abuse.

Han behandlet sine ansatte som hunder.

Informal/Emotional

"Behandle noen med en kald skulder"

— While 'vise den kalde skulderen' is more common, this phrase describes the act of treating someone coldly.

Hun behandlet ham med en kald skulder etter krangelen.

Neutral

"Behandle som sin egen bukselomme"

— To know or handle something so well that it's like your own pocket (intimately familiar).

Han behandler maskineriet som sin egen bukselomme.

Informal

"Behandle saken med varsomhet"

— To handle a situation very carefully to avoid causing problems or offense.

Dette er et sensitivt emne som må behandles med varsomhet.

Formal

"Behandle noen etter fortjeneste"

— To treat someone exactly as they deserve to be treated, based on their actions.

Han ble behandlet etter fortjeneste og fikk sparken.

Neutral

"Behandle som en paria"

— To treat someone as an outcast or someone to be avoided.

Etter skandalen ble han behandlet som en paria.

Formal

"Behandle under ett"

— To treat or process several items or cases together as a single group.

Disse tre søknadene vil bli behandlet under ett.

Administrative

"Behandle med hard hånd"

— To treat or handle a situation with strictness, discipline, or even force.

Opprøret ble behandlet med hard hånd.

Formal/Political

"Behandle som barn"

— To treat adults as if they were children (patronizingly).

Jeg liker ikke at du behandler meg som et barn.

Informal

"Behandle som gull"

— To value something extremely highly and take perfect care of it.

Han behandler den gamle bilen sin som gull.

Informal

Easily Confused

behandle vs mishandle

Looks like 'mis-handle' in English.

In Norwegian, 'mishandle' specifically means to physically or mentally abuse someone, not just to handle something incorrectly.

Det er ulovlig å mishandle dyr.

behandle vs omhandle

Both start with a prefix and end in 'handle'.

'Omhandle' means 'to be about' or 'concern'. 'Behandle' means 'to treat' or 'process'.

Boken omhandler (is about) krigen.

behandle vs forhandle

Similar structure.

'Forhandle' means 'to negotiate' (like a salary or a peace treaty).

Vi må forhandle om prisen.

behandle vs forvandle

Sounds similar.

'Forvandle' means 'to transform' or 'to change completely'.

Larven forvandler seg til en sommerfugl.

behandle vs pleie

Both used in medicine.

'Pleie' is long-term nursing care. 'Behandle' is a specific medical intervention.

Sykepleieren pleier pasienten.

Sentence Patterns

[Person] behandler [Person/Animal] [Adverb].

Lise behandler hunden pent.

[Legen] behandler [Sykdommen].

Legen behandler infeksjonen.

[Sak] blir behandlet av [Instans].

Søknaden blir behandlet av NAV.

[Bok/Film] behandler [Tema].

Boken behandler temaet sorg.

Det er viktig å behandle [Objekt] med [Substantiv].

Det er viktig å behandle kunden med respekt.

[Metode] brukes for å behandle [Data/Materiale].

Statistikk brukes for å behandle dataene.

Måten [Subjekt] behandler [Problem] på...

Måten regjeringen behandler krisen på, er god.

I hvilken grad [Subjekt] evner å behandle [Komplekst tema]...

I hvilken grad forfatteren evner å behandle eksistensiell angst...

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in news, health, and administration. Moderate in daily casual speech.

Common Mistakes

Jeg skal behandle mat på butikken. → Jeg skal handle mat på butikken.
You use 'handle' for shopping. 'Behandle' would mean you are treating the food medically or processing it officially.
Han behandlet meg som en venn. → Han behandlet meg som en venn.
This is actually correct, but English speakers often forget the 'som'. Without 'som', the sentence doesn't make sense.
Kan du behandle denne tunge posen? → Kan du håndtere denne tunge posen?
'Behandle' is not for physical lifting or carrying. Use 'håndtere' or 'bære' for physical objects.
Legen pleier sykdommen. → Legen behandler sykdommen.
You treat (behandle) a disease, but you care for (pleie) a person. Don't swap these in a medical context.
Vi skal behandle om dette temaet. → Vi skal behandle dette temaet.
'Behandle' is transitive and does not need the preposition 'om'. You treat the theme directly.

Tips

Use the Passive Voice

In Norwegian administration, using the passive form 'behandles' makes you sound more like a native. Instead of 'De behandler søknaden min', say 'Søknaden min behandles'.

Don't confuse with 'Handle'

Remember: 'Handle' is shopping or acting. 'Behandle' is treating or processing. The 'be-' makes all the difference in the world!

Ethics Matter

When talking about people, 'behandle' is a moral word. Use it to advocate for 'likebehandling' (equal treatment) and 'rettferdighet' (justice).

Doctor vs. Nurse

Doctors 'behandler' (treat the illness), while nurses 'pleier' (care for the person). This distinction is important in healthcare settings.

Data Processing

In technical contexts, 'behandle' is the natural word for processing. It sounds much more professional than using 'gjøre noe med dataene'.

Academic Writing

Use 'behandle' to introduce the topic of your essay. 'Denne oppgaven skal behandle spørsmålet om...' (This paper will address the question of...).

Hazardous Materials

When you see 'Behandles med forsiktighet' on a package, it means 'Handle with care'. It's a formal warning you'll see often.

The 'Be-' Rule

Prefixes like 'be-' often turn a basic verb into a more formal, transitive one. Think of 'handle' as the action and 'behandle' as the professional version.

Stress the Hand

Always put the emphasis on the 'hand' part: be-HAND-le. If you stress the 'be', people might not understand you immediately.

Behandle vs. Drøfte

If you are just talking about something, use 'snakke om'. If you are analyzing it formally, use 'behandle' or 'drøfte'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'be-' as 'to become' and 'handle' as the English 'handle'. To 'behandle' is to 'become the one who handles' the situation, whether it's a patient or a piece of paper.

Visual Association

Imagine a doctor with a 'handle' (like a suitcase handle) attached to a medicine bottle. He is 'be-handling' the medicine to the patient.

Word Web

Lege (Doctor) Pasient (Patient) Søknad (Application) Respekt (Respect) Data (Data) Sak (Case) Medisin (Medicine) Prosess (Process)

Challenge

Try to write three sentences using 'behandle' in three different ways: one about a doctor, one about a government office, and one about how you treat your best friend.

Word Origin

The word comes from the Middle Low German 'behandelen'. The prefix 'be-' is a common Germanic prefix used to form transitive verbs, and 'handelen' comes from 'hand' (hand).

Original meaning: Originally, it meant 'to handle with the hands' or 'to manage'. Over time, it evolved from physical handling to the abstract processing and medical treatment we see today.

Germanic (related to German 'behandeln' and Dutch 'behandelen').

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'behandle' in a way that might sound patronizing, such as 'behandle som et barn' (treating like a child).

English speakers often use 'handle' for everything, but in Norwegian, you must distinguish between 'håndtere' (physical/practical) and 'behandle' (systematic/social).

The Norwegian Patient Rights Act (Pasient- og brukerrettighetsloven) uses 'behandling' extensively to define what citizens are entitled to. The Golden Rule in Norwegian: 'Gjør mot andre det du vil at de skal gjøre mot deg' is often explained using the verb 'behandle'. Common news headline: 'Regjeringen behandler krisepakken' (The government is processing the crisis package).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Doctor

Jeg trenger behandling for...
Hvordan skal dette behandles?
Er det dyrt å behandle dette?
Hvor lenge varer behandlingen?

At a Government Office (NAV)

Hvor lang tid tar det å behandle søknaden?
Saken din er til behandling.
Hvem behandler saken min?
Søknaden ble ferdigbehandlet i går.

Social Situations

Han behandler meg alltid så godt.
Du må ikke behandle henne slik.
Vi behandler alle som familie her.
Hvorfor behandler du meg som en fremmed?

Work/Business

Vi må behandle denne kunden forsiktig.
Styret skal behandle budsjettet.
Hvordan behandler vi klager?
Dataene må behandles konfidensielt.

Technical/DIY

Du må behandle bordet med lakk.
Hvordan behandler maskinen disse filene?
Materialet må varmebehandles.
Overflaten er ferdig behandlet.

Conversation Starters

"Hvordan synes du man bør behandle folk som er frekke?"

"Har du noen gang blitt behandlet urettferdig på jobben?"

"Hvor lang tid tar det vanligvis å behandle et visum i ditt land?"

"Hvordan behandler du stress når du har mye å gjøre?"

"Mener du at roboter bør behandles med respekt i fremtiden?"

Journal Prompts

Skriv om en gang du ble behandlet veldig godt av en fremmed. Hva skjedde?

Beskriv hvordan en god leder bør behandle sine ansatte i en krise.

Hvorfor er det viktig å behandle miljøet med respekt, og hva gjør du personlig?

Reflekter over forskjellen på hvordan barn og voksne blir behandlet i samfunnet.

Tenk på en vanskelig beslutning du måtte ta. Hvordan behandlet du informasjonen du hadde?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but usually in a formal or systematic way. If you mean 'dealing with a problem' in a meeting, you can say 'behandle saken'. If you mean 'handling stress', it is better to use 'håndtere stress'. For English speakers, 'behandle' is more like 'to process' or 'to treat' than the general English 'handle'.

'Behandling' is the act of treating or processing a specific object or person. 'Prosess' is the series of steps taken. For example, you are in a 'behandlingsprosess' (treatment process). 'Behandling' is the specific action, while 'prosess' is the overall structure.

Do NOT use 'behandle'. Use 'spandere'. For example: 'Jeg vil spandere middag på deg' (I want to treat you to dinner). Using 'behandle' would sound like you are performing a medical experiment on them at the dinner table!

Yes, in modern Norwegian it is a weak verb of the first group. This means it ends in '-et' in the past tense and '-et' in the past participle (behandle, behandler, behandlet, har behandlet). This makes it very predictable to conjugate.

Absolutely. 'Databehandling' is the standard Norwegian term for 'data processing'. You can say 'Programmet behandler dataene raskt' (The program processes the data quickly). It is the most common word for this in IT contexts.

It is an idiom meaning 'to treat like air', which implies completely ignoring someone. If someone is angry with you, they might 'behandle deg som luft'. It is a very common expression in social situations.

Yes, it is used exactly like it is for humans. You can 'behandle en hund' (treat a dog medically) or 'behandle en katt pent' (treat a cat nicely). It is the standard verb for any sentient being.

This is a very important Norwegian word. It refers to the administrative processing of a case or application. If you apply for a permit, a 'saksbehandler' (case worker) will perform 'saksbehandling' on your file. It is the backbone of Norwegian bureaucracy.

Yes, it refers to surface treatments like painting, oiling, or chemical processes. You 'behandler treverket med beis' (treat the wood with stain). It implies a protective or decorative application.

The word itself is neutral. To make it positive or negative, you must add an adverb like 'godt' (well) or 'dårlig' (badly). Without an adverb, it just means the act of processing or treating is occurring.