§ What 'dagligvare' means
Alright, let's talk about dagligvare. This is a common and practical Norwegian word you need to know. Simply put, it means 'groceries' or 'everyday consumer goods'. Think about all the things you buy regularly from a supermarket – that's dagligvare. It covers everything from milk and bread to toiletries and cleaning supplies. It's not just food, but all the necessities for daily life.
- DEFINITION
- Groceries or everyday consumer goods. Essentially, items for daily household consumption.
§ When to use 'dagligvare'
You'll hear and use dagligvare in a lot of everyday situations. When you're talking about going to the supermarket, making a shopping list, or discussing household expenses, this word will come up. It's a broad term that covers many items, so it's a good umbrella term to have in your vocabulary.
Here are some common scenarios where you'd use it:
- Shopping: When you say you're going to buy groceries, you're buying dagligvarer (the plural form).
- Stores: A 'dagligvarebutikk' is a grocery store or supermarket.
- Ads: You'll see 'dagligvaretilbud' (grocery offers) in flyers and online.
- General discussion: If you're talking about the cost of living or what you need for the house, dagligvare is relevant.
Jeg må kjøpe dagligvarer etter jobb. (I need to buy groceries after work.)
Hvilken dagligvarebutikk er best her? (Which grocery store is best here?)
Vi må kutte ned på utgiftene til dagligvarer. (We need to cut down on grocery expenses.)
The word is quite practical because it saves you from listing every single item you need. Instead of saying, "I need milk, bread, toilet paper, and soap," you can just say, "I need to buy dagligvarer." It's efficient and everyone will understand exactly what you mean.
When you're first learning, it's easy to get caught up in specific food items. And you should learn those! But understanding dagligvare gives you a broader context for talking about shopping and daily necessities in Norwegian. It's a fundamental word for anyone living in or visiting Norway, or just interacting with Norwegian culture. You'll encounter it in conversations, on signs, and in advertisements. Mastering this term will significantly improve your ability to navigate everyday situations in Norwegian.
§ Understanding 'Dagligvare' vs. 'Matvarer'
Many English speakers learning Norwegian get confused between 'dagligvare' and 'matvarer'. While both relate to food, they aren't always interchangeable. 'Dagligvare' is broader; it includes more than just food.
- DEFINITION
- Dagligvare: Groceries, everyday consumer goods (e.g., food, toiletries, cleaning supplies).
- DEFINITION
- Matvarer: Food items, foodstuffs (e.g., apples, bread, milk).
Think of it this way: all 'matvarer' are 'dagligvarer', but not all 'dagligvarer' are 'matvarer'. You buy 'matvarer' to eat, but you buy 'dagligvarer' for everyday household needs, which includes food but also other things.
Vi må kjøpe dagligvarer for helgen. (We need to buy groceries [including food and other things] for the weekend.)
Hvilke matvarer trenger vi til middag? (Which food items do we need for dinner?)
§ Using 'Dagligvare' in Sentences
Another common error is trying to use 'dagligvare' as an adjective or when a more specific noun is needed. 'Dagligvare' itself is a noun. You wouldn't say 'dagligvare melk' (grocery milk); you would just say 'melk' (milk) or 'matvarer' (food items) if you are generally referring to foodstuffs.
Incorrect: Jeg skal kjøpe dagligvare. (I am going to buy a grocery item.)
Correct: Jeg skal kjøpe en dagligvare. (I am going to buy an everyday consumer good.) - This is grammatically correct but often sounds unnatural. It's better to say: Jeg skal kjøpe dagligvarer. (I am going to buy groceries.)
Always remember that 'dagligvare' is typically used in its plural form, 'dagligvarer', when referring to a collection of items you would buy at a grocery store. If you're talking about a single item, you'd usually use its specific name.
Vi mangler mange dagligvarer etter ferien. (We are missing many groceries after the holiday.)
It’s also important to note the context. If you are specifically talking about food, 'matvarer' is a precise and often more natural choice. If you're talking about the general act of shopping for household necessities, then 'dagligvarer' is appropriate.
§ Common Phrases to Avoid
Avoid direct translations from English phrases that use 'grocery'.
Incorrect: "Grocery shopping" as "dagligvare shopping".
Correct: "Handle dagligvarer" or "handle mat" is more natural for "to do grocery shopping".
The verb 'handle' (to shop) combined with 'dagligvarer' or 'mat' is the common way to express this action in Norwegian. This shows you're actually doing the shopping, not just saying "grocery shopping" as a noun phrase.
Jeg skal ut og handle dagligvarer snart. (I'm going out to do grocery shopping soon.)
Guía de pronunciación
- pronouncing 'g' as in 'gem'
- stressing the wrong syllable
Gramática que debes saber
Nouns in Norwegian have grammatical gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter). 'Dagligvare' is a masculine noun.
En dagligvare (a grocery item) - This shows the indefinite article 'en' used with a masculine noun.
Indefinite and definite forms of nouns change their endings. For masculine nouns ending in -e, the indefinite plural is formed by adding -r, and the definite plural is formed by adding -ne.
En dagligvare (a grocery item), dagligvarer (grocery items), dagligvarene (the grocery items)
Compound words are common in Norwegian. 'Dagligvare' is a compound of 'daglig' (daily) and 'vare' (ware/item). The gender of a compound word is usually determined by the last word in the compound.
Dagligvarebutikk (grocery store) - Here, 'butikk' (store) is masculine, so 'dagligvarebutikk' is also masculine.
Adjectives modify nouns and agree in gender and number. When used with 'dagligvare', adjectives will take the masculine singular form.
Billig dagligvare (cheap grocery item) - 'Billig' is the singular form.
'Dagligvare' is often used in the plural to refer to groceries in general.
Jeg må kjøpe dagligvarer. (I need to buy groceries.)
Ejemplos por nivel
Jeg skal kjøpe dagligvarer.
I am going to buy groceries.
Hvor er dagligvarebutikken?
Where is the grocery store?
Trenger vi mer dagligvarer?
Do we need more groceries?
Jeg har glemt å kjøpe dagligvarer.
I forgot to buy groceries.
Dagligvarer er dyrt her.
Groceries are expensive here.
Vi må handle dagligvarer.
We must shop for groceries.
Hva er dine favoritt-dagligvarer?
What are your favorite groceries?
Jeg har en lang liste med dagligvarer.
I have a long list of groceries.
Jeg må kjøpe dagligvare.
I must buy groceries.
Hvor er dagligvarebutikken?
Where is the grocery store?
Trenger vi mer dagligvare?
Do we need more groceries?
Jeg handler dagligvare hver uke.
I shop for groceries every week.
Han bærer dagligvarene hjem.
He carries the groceries home.
Vi spiste opp all dagligvaren.
We ate all the groceries.
Er dette en god dagligvarebutikk?
Is this a good grocery store?
Jeg lager en liste for dagligvarene.
I am making a list for the groceries.
Vi handler dagligvarer hver lørdag.
We shop for groceries every Saturday.
Here, 'dagligvarer' is in its plural form, used with the verb 'handler' (to shop).
Hvilken dagligvarebutikk pleier du å bruke?
Which grocery store do you usually use?
'dagligvarebutikk' is a compound word meaning 'grocery store'.
Prisene på dagligvarer har steget mye i det siste.
Grocery prices have risen a lot recently.
'Prisene på dagligvarer' means 'the prices of groceries'.
Jeg må kjøpe dagligvarer før gjestene kommer.
I need to buy groceries before the guests arrive.
'kjøpe dagligvarer' means 'to buy groceries'.
Denne butikken har et godt utvalg av økologiske dagligvarer.
This store has a good selection of organic groceries.
'økologiske dagligvarer' means 'organic groceries'.
Han jobber deltid i en dagligvareforretning.
He works part-time in a grocery business/store.
'dagligvareforretning' is another term for a grocery store or business.
Vi glemte å kjøpe noen viktige dagligvarer.
We forgot to buy some important groceries.
'viktige dagligvarer' means 'important groceries'.
Hvor mye bruker du på dagligvarer hver måned?
How much do you spend on groceries every month?
'bruker på dagligvarer' means 'spend on groceries'.
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Adjetivos
Consejos
Dagligvare basics
Dagligvare literally translates to 'daily goods'. It's a compound word: daglig (daily) + vare (item/good). Knowing this helps understand its meaning.
Plural form of dagligvare
The plural form is dagligvarer. You'll often hear it in plural when referring to a collection of items. For example, 'Jeg skal kjøpe dagligvarer.' (I'm going to buy groceries.)
Related: dagligvarebutikk
A dagligvarebutikk is a grocery store. This is a very common term. For example, 'Er det en dagligvarebutikk i nærheten?' (Is there a grocery store nearby?)
Distinguish from matvarer
While dagligvarer generally refers to all items in a grocery store, matvarer specifically means food items. They are often used interchangeably, but dagligvarer is broader.
Everyday context for dagligvare
Think of dagligvare as the items you'd typically buy on a regular trip to a supermarket, not just food, but also things like toilet paper, soap, etc. 'Vi må handle dagligvarer.' (We need to shop for groceries.)
Using the definite form
The definite singular form is dagligvaren (the grocery item). The definite plural is dagligvarene (the groceries). 'Dagligvarene er dyre her.' (The groceries are expensive here.)
Grocery shopping culture
Norwegians often shop for dagligvarer weekly or bi-weekly. Knowing this term is essential for everyday life in Norway.
Not for clothes or electronics
Remember, dagligvare is for consumer goods, typically from a supermarket. Don't use it for clothes (klær) or electronics (elektronikk).
Expressions with dagligvare
You might hear 'dagligvarebransjen' (the grocery industry). This shows how the word forms part of larger, more complex terms.
Practice with shopping lists
Make a Norwegian shopping list. Write down items you need and classify them as dagligvarer. 'Jeg har en lang liste med dagligvarer.' (I have a long list of groceries.)
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'daily wares' to remember 'dagligvare' means everyday goods or groceries.
Asociación visual
Imagine a bustling Norwegian grocery store, with shelves full of everyday items, and the word 'dagligvare' brightly displayed over the entrance.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to list five different 'dagligvarer' you would buy in a Norwegian store. Use them in simple sentences.
Ponte a prueba 60 preguntas
Write a short sentence about going to buy groceries.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jeg må kjøpe dagligvarer i dag.
Write a simple sentence describing what 'dagligvarer' are.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Dagligvarer er mat og ting vi bruker hver dag.
Write a sentence saying you need a list for groceries.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jeg trenger en liste for dagligvarer.
Hva kjøper Lise?
Read this passage:
Lise går til butikken. Hun skal kjøpe mat til middag. Hun kjøper brød, melk og epler. Dette er dagligvarer.
Hva kjøper Lise?
Lise kjøper brød, melk og epler, som er dagligvarer.
Lise kjøper brød, melk og epler, som er dagligvarer.
Hva kan du kjøpe i en dagligvarebutikk?
Read this passage:
En dagligvarebutikk selger mange forskjellige ting. Du kan kjøpe mat, drikke og vaskemidler. De fleste handler dagligvarer hver uke.
Hva kan du kjøpe i en dagligvarebutikk?
Teksten sier du kan kjøpe mat, drikke og vaskemidler i en dagligvarebutikk.
Teksten sier du kan kjøpe mat, drikke og vaskemidler i en dagligvarebutikk.
Når handler jeg dagligvarer?
Read this passage:
Jeg liker å handle dagligvarer på lørdager. Da har jeg god tid. Jeg kjøper alltid frukt og grønnsaker. Det er viktig for meg.
Når handler jeg dagligvarer?
Setningen 'Jeg liker å handle dagligvarer på lørdager' forteller oss når jeg handler.
Setningen 'Jeg liker å handle dagligvarer på lørdager' forteller oss når jeg handler.
Jeg må kjøpe ___ til middag i kveld.
The sentence means 'I need to buy groceries for dinner tonight.' 'Dagligvare' fits best here.
Hvor er den nærmeste butikken som selger ___?
The question is 'Where is the nearest store that sells groceries?' 'Dagligvare' (groceries) is the correct item for a store to sell.
Vi trenger å fylle på med ___ hver uke.
The sentence means 'We need to restock with groceries every week.' 'Dagligvare' is something you restock regularly.
Han glemte å kjøpe melk og brød fra ___.
The sentence is 'He forgot to buy milk and bread from the grocery store.' 'Dagligvarebutikken' is the place where you buy these items.
Prisene på ___ har økt mye i det siste.
The sentence means 'The prices of groceries have increased a lot recently.' 'Dagligvare' (everyday goods) is a common topic for price changes.
Jeg har en lang liste med ___ jeg må handle.
The sentence is 'I have a long list of groceries I need to buy.' 'Dagligvare' is something you make a list for when shopping.
Which of these would you typically buy at a 'dagligvarebutikk' (grocery store)?
Melk (milk) is an everyday consumer good, which is what 'dagligvare' refers to. Books, sofas, and shoes are not typically found in a regular grocery store.
If you need to buy food for dinner, where would you most likely go?
A 'dagligvarebutikk' is where you buy groceries and food items for daily consumption.
Which sentence correctly uses 'dagligvare'?
The sentence 'Vi trenger å kjøpe dagligvarer til helgen' correctly uses 'dagligvarer' (plural of dagligvare) to mean groceries, which is a common context.
You would buy 'dagligvarer' like bread and milk at a 'dagligvarebutikk'.
Yes, 'dagligvarer' refers to everyday consumer goods, including staples like bread and milk, which are bought at a grocery store ('dagligvarebutikk').
A new television is considered a 'dagligvare'.
No, a television is an electronic appliance, not an everyday consumer good or grocery item. 'Dagligvare' refers to things like food, cleaning supplies, etc.
Most people buy their 'dagligvarer' once a month.
While some people might do a large monthly shop, 'dagligvarer' are typically purchased more frequently, often weekly or bi-weekly, due to their everyday nature and perishability.
This sentence means 'I need to buy groceries.' The standard Norwegian sentence structure places the verb after the subject.
This question asks 'Which grocery store is best?' The interrogative pronoun 'Hvilken' comes first, followed by the noun phrase and then the verb.
This sentence means 'We shop for groceries every week.' The subject 'Vi' comes first, followed by the verb 'handler', then the direct object 'dagligvarer', and finally the time phrase 'hver uke'.
Which of these would NOT typically be considered 'dagligvare'?
'Dagligvare' refers to everyday groceries and consumer goods. A new car is a significant purchase, not an everyday item.
When you go to a 'dagligvarebutikk', what are you most likely to buy?
A 'dagligvarebutikk' is a grocery store, so you would buy food and drinks there.
Which Norwegian word is a synonym for 'dagligvare'?
'Forbruksvarer' is a broader term that encompasses 'dagligvare' as everyday consumer goods.
If you buy a diamond ring, you are purchasing 'dagligvare'.
A diamond ring is a luxury item and not an everyday consumer good, so it is not 'dagligvare'.
Kjøtt (meat) and grønnsaker (vegetables) are examples of 'dagligvare'.
Meat and vegetables are common food items, making them everyday groceries and thus 'dagligvare'.
You would typically find 'dagligvare' in a specialty electronics store.
'Dagligvare' is found in grocery stores or supermarkets, not specialty electronics stores.
This sentence means 'I need to buy groceries for dinner.' 'Jeg' (I) is the subject, 'må kjøpe' (must buy) is the verb phrase, and 'dagligvare' (groceries) is the object, followed by 'til middag' (for dinner).
This sentence translates to 'Which store has the best selection of groceries here?' 'Hvilken butikk' (which store) is the subject, 'har' (has) is the verb, 'best utvalg' (best selection) is the direct object, followed by 'av dagligvare' (of groceries) and 'her' (here).
This means 'We need to stock up on groceries before the weekend.' 'Vi' (We) is the subject, 'trenger å fylle på' (need to stock up) is the verb phrase, 'med dagligvare' (with groceries) specifies what to stock up on, and 'før helgen' (before the weekend) indicates time.
Hvilket av følgende ord beskriver best 'dagligvare'?
Dagligvarer refererer til nødvendigheter som mat og husholdningsartikler som man kjøper regelmessig.
Du er i en butikk og vil kjøpe mat. Hvilken type butikk leter du etter?
En dagligvarebutikk er stedet der du kjøper mat og andre dagligvarer.
Hvilken setning bruker 'dagligvare' korrekt?
Å fylle opp kjøleskapet med dagligvarer betyr å fylle det med mat og drikke.
En 'dagligvarebutikk' selger hovedsakelig biler.
En dagligvarebutikk selger primært mat, drikke og andre husholdningsartikler, ikke biler.
Ordet 'dagligvare' kan brukes om mat som kjøpes for å spise.
Matvarer er en viktig del av 'dagligvarer'.
Hvis du skal kjøpe nye klær, går du til en 'dagligvarebutikk'.
Du går til en klesbutikk for å kjøpe klær, ikke en dagligvarebutikk.
Listen for what needs to be bought before the store closes.
Pay attention to what has increased in price recently.
Listen for what the new rules are impacting.
Read this aloud:
Det er viktig å planlegge innkjøp av dagligvarer for å unngå unødvendige utgifter.
Focus: dagligvarer, unødvendige
Dijiste:
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Read this aloud:
Hvilke dagligvarer er essensielle for et sunt kosthold?
Focus: essensielle, kosthold
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Mange foretrekker å kjøpe økologiske dagligvarer når det er mulig.
Focus: økologiske, foretrekker
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This translates to 'She bought groceries online.' The subject 'hun' (she) comes first, followed by the verb 'kjøpte' (bought), then the object 'dagligvarer' (groceries), and finally the prepositional phrase 'på nett' (online).
This translates to 'It is important to plan grocery shopping.' The impersonal subject 'Det' starts the sentence, followed by 'er' (is) and 'viktig' (important). 'å planlegge' (to plan) introduces the infinitive phrase, and 'dagligvareinnkjøp' (grocery shopping) is the object.
This means 'Delivery of groceries was delayed.' 'Levering' (delivery) is the subject, 'av dagligvarer' (of groceries) modifies it, and 'ble forsinket' (was delayed) is the passive verb phrase.
This sentence structure (subject-verb-object-adjective-noun) is common in Norwegian when describing a good selection.
This sentence discusses consumer reports and an increasing demand for sustainable groceries, following a typical Norwegian sentence structure for reporting findings.
The sentence illustrates how innovation in the grocery industry leads to new shopping concepts, showcasing a more complex sentence structure appropriate for C2.
/ 60 correct
Perfect score!
Dagligvare basics
Dagligvare literally translates to 'daily goods'. It's a compound word: daglig (daily) + vare (item/good). Knowing this helps understand its meaning.
Plural form of dagligvare
The plural form is dagligvarer. You'll often hear it in plural when referring to a collection of items. For example, 'Jeg skal kjøpe dagligvarer.' (I'm going to buy groceries.)
Related: dagligvarebutikk
A dagligvarebutikk is a grocery store. This is a very common term. For example, 'Er det en dagligvarebutikk i nærheten?' (Is there a grocery store nearby?)
Distinguish from matvarer
While dagligvarer generally refers to all items in a grocery store, matvarer specifically means food items. They are often used interchangeably, but dagligvarer is broader.
