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A1 noun 8 min de lectura

familie

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos familie en 30 segundos

Explicación familie in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'familie' is one of the first nouns you learn. You use it to describe your immediate surroundings. You should be able to say who is in your family (mor, far, søster, bror) and use simple possessives like 'min familie'. The focus is on basic identification and simple sentences like 'Jeg har en stor familie'. You will also learn the definite form 'familien' to talk about your specific family group. This level is about establishing the foundation of personal vocabulary.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'familie' in more descriptive contexts. You can talk about family routines, traditions, and where they live. You start using adjectives with the word, such as 'en hyggelig familie' or 'en travel familie'. You also learn to use the plural 'familier' when comparing different family types. You can describe simple events like 'Vi spiser middag med familien hver søndag'. Your ability to use the word in the past tense ('Da jeg var barn, hadde familien min en hund') also develops here.

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At the B1 level, you move beyond simple descriptions to discuss family dynamics and social roles. You can talk about 'familieforhold' (family relationships) and the importance of 'familieliv' (family life) in society. You are expected to understand and use compound words like 'familiemedlem' and 'familiebedrift'. You can express opinions about family topics, such as the challenges of balancing work and family. Your understanding of the definite plural 'familiene' becomes more natural in context.

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At the B2 level, you can use 'familie' in more formal and abstract discussions. You might analyze 'familiepolitikk' or the impact of 'familiebakgrunn' (family background) on an individual's career. You can understand nuances between 'familie' and 'slekt' in literature or news. You are comfortable using the word in complex sentence structures with relative clauses, such as 'Familien, som flyttet hit i fjor, har allerede funnet seg godt til rette'. You also grasp idiomatic expressions related to family.

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At the C1 level, you use 'familie' with precision in academic or professional settings. You can discuss the evolution of the 'familiebegrepet' (the concept of family) in a sociological context. You understand the subtle emotional connotations the word carries in different dialects or registers. You can write detailed essays on topics like 'familiens rolle i det moderne samfunnet' (the role of the family in modern society), using a wide range of synonyms and related technical terms like 'pårørende' or 'husstand' correctly.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'familie' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You can use the word in all its metaphorical and idiomatic glory. You understand the historical weight of the term in Norwegian history and literature. You can navigate complex legal or philosophical texts where 'familie' is a central theme, and you can debate the most intricate aspects of family law or social theory. Your usage reflects a deep cultural immersion and an effortless command of the language's nuances.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

familie en 30 segundos

The word 'familie' is a masculine noun (en familie) meaning family, used to describe biological or social kinship groups in Norway.
Grammatically, it follows the pattern: en familie, familien, familier, familiene. Possessives usually follow the noun: 'familien min'.
Cultural context is vital; 'familie' is central to Norwegian life, from government policy to the traditional Sunday hike (søndagstur).
Commonly confused with 'slekt' (extended relatives), 'familie' is the broader, more everyday term for your immediate social unit.

The Norwegian word familie is a fundamental noun that translates directly to 'family' in English. At its core, it refers to a group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption, typically living together or forming a social unit. In the Norwegian cultural context, the concept of 'familie' is deeply rooted in the social fabric, emphasizing both the nuclear family (kjernefamilie) and the broader extended network (slekt). Understanding this word is essential for A1 learners because it serves as the building block for discussing personal identity, relationships, and daily life. Whether you are introducing yourself, describing your living situation, or talking about holiday traditions like 'julaften' (Christmas Eve), the word 'familie' will be your primary tool.

The Nuclear Family: In Norway, the 'kjernefamilie' usually consists of parents and children. With the rise of modern social structures, this also includes 'samboere' (cohabiting partners) and 'stefamilier' (step-families).
The Extended Family: While 'familie' can cover everyone, Norwegians often use the word 'slekt' to refer specifically to more distant relatives like cousins, aunts, and grandparents when distinguishing them from the immediate household.

Jeg elsker min familie over alt på jord.

Translation: I love my family above everything on earth.

The word is used in almost every social setting. In a professional environment, you might discuss 'familievennlige ordninger' (family-friendly arrangements), highlighting Norway's focus on work-life balance. In a casual setting, asking 'Hvordan går det med familien?' (How is the family doing?) is a standard, polite way to show interest in someone's life. It is a versatile word that carries warmth, responsibility, and a sense of belonging. Furthermore, the word 'familie' is a masculine noun ('en familie'), which dictates how adjectives and articles interact with it, a crucial grammatical point for beginners.

Hele familien skal reise til Spania i sommer.

Translation: The whole family is going to travel to Spain this summer.

Historically, the term has evolved from strictly biological ties to a more inclusive definition. In modern Norway, 'familie' can also refer to 'valgt familie' (chosen family), representing close friends who fill the role of relatives. This breadth of meaning ensures that the word remains relevant in a changing society. When you use 'familie', you are not just identifying people; you are invoking a system of support and shared history that is central to the Norwegian identity.

Using familie correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender and how it changes form. As a masculine noun, it follows the standard pattern: 'en familie' (a family), 'familien' (the family), 'familier' (families), and 'familiene' (the families). One of the most common challenges for English speakers is the placement of possessive pronouns. While English always puts 'my' before 'family', Norwegian allows 'min familie' or the more natural-sounding 'familien min'.

Singular Indefinite: Use 'en familie' when introducing the concept or talking about one family in general. Example: 'Jeg ønsker meg en stor familie.'
Singular Definite: Use 'familien' when referring to a specific family known to the listener. Example: 'Familien bor i Oslo.'

Vi er en lykkelig familie.

Translation: We are a happy family.

Adjectives describing the family must agree with the masculine gender. For instance, 'en liten familie' (a small family) or 'den snille familien' (the kind family). When talking about activities involving the family, the preposition 'i' is often used: 'Det er vanlig i vår familie' (It is common in our family). However, if you are with them, you use 'med': 'Jeg er med familien' (I am with the family).

Hvor mange er det i din familie?

Translation: How many are there in your family?

In more advanced usage, 'familie' appears in compound words where it often takes an '-s-' as a linker, though not always. Examples include 'familieliv' (family life) and 'familiemedlem' (family member). When you want to say 'the family's car', you add an 's' to the definite form: 'familiens bil'. Mastery of these forms allows you to describe complex social dynamics and daily routines with precision.

The word familie is ubiquitous in Norwegian life, appearing in both formal institutions and intimate conversations. If you visit a Norwegian home, you will hear it during dinner talk or when planning weekend trips. In the public sphere, the Norwegian government frequently uses the term in policy discussions regarding 'familiepolitikk' (family policy). This includes topics like 'foreldrepermisjon' (parental leave) and 'barnetrygd' (child benefit), which are central to the Nordic welfare model.

Statsministeren snakket om viktigheten av en trygg familie.

Translation: The Prime Minister spoke about the importance of a secure family.

In the media, news reports often focus on 'familieøkonomi' (family finances) or 'familiebedrifter' (family businesses). You will see the word on signs in museums indicating 'familiebillett' (family ticket), which usually offers a discount for two adults and two children. On social media, hashtags like #familiedag (family day) are common when people post photos of their Sunday hikes (søndagstur), a quintessential Norwegian family activity.

Education and Schools: Teachers often ask children to draw their 'familie' or talk about what they did with their 'familie' over the weekend.
Legal and Healthcare: Doctors might ask about 'familiehistorikk' (family history) regarding health issues, or lawyers might discuss 'familierett' (family law).

Vi kjøpte en familiebillett på museet.

Translation: We bought a family ticket at the museum.

Pop culture also reinforces the term. Norwegian TV series often center around 'familiedrama' or 'familieforhold' (family relationships). By listening to these contexts, you'll notice that 'familie' isn't just a noun; it's a thematic anchor for discussing values, responsibilities, and the passage of time. Whether you're filling out a form for the 'Folkeregisteret' or chatting at a 'dugnad' (community work project), the word 'familie' is your gateway to understanding the collective heart of Norway.

Even though familie seems straightforward, English speakers often make several predictable errors. The most frequent mistake is related to the word's grammatical gender. Since 'familie' is masculine ('en familie'), using a feminine or neuter article (like 'ei familie' or 'et familie') is incorrect and sounds jarring to native ears. Consistency in gender is key for the accompanying adjectives and pronouns.

Mistake: Gender Confusion: Saying 'et familie' instead of 'en familie'. Always remember that 'familie' is masculine.
Mistake: Confusion with 'Slekt': Using 'familie' when you specifically mean 'relatives' in a genealogical sense. While 'familie' is often used broadly, 'slekt' is more precise for extended ancestry.

Feil: Jeg har en stor slekt i USA. (Correct, but often learners say 'familie' when they mean 'ancestors'.)

Another common error involves the possessive construction. In English, we say 'my family'. In Norwegian, 'min familie' is grammatically correct but often sounds formal or emphatic. A more natural way to say it is 'familien min', where the noun is in the definite form. Forgetting to put the noun in the definite form when the possessive follows is a classic learner's mistake (e.g., saying 'familie min' instead of 'familien min').

Riktig: Familien min er snill.

Translation: My family is kind.

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with pluralization. The plural of 'familie' is 'familier', and the definite plural is 'familiene'. It is common to forget the 'e' at the end of the singular form or to confuse the plural ending with other noun classes. Paying close attention to these morphological changes will help you sound more like a native speaker and ensure your meaning is always clear.

While familie is the most common term, Norwegian offers several other words to describe related concepts. Understanding the nuances between these terms will help you choose the right word for the right context. The most important alternative is 'slekt', which refers to one's lineage or extended family. While you might say 'familien min' about the people you live with, you would use 'slekta mi' to talk about your ancestors or cousins you see once a year.

Slekt: Refers to relatives, kin, or lineage. 'Vi er i slekt' means 'We are related'.
Husstand: Refers to a 'household'. This is more technical and used in census data or when discussing who lives under the same roof.
Pårørende: Translates to 'next of kin' or 'relatives' in a medical or emergency context.

Er dere i slekt?

Translation: Are you (plural) related?

Another term you might encounter is 'hjem' (home), which often implies the family unit. 'De har et godt hjem' (They have a good home) usually means the family environment is positive. There's also 'nære relasjoner' (close relations), a more formal way to describe family and close friends in social work or psychology. For specific family types, you have 'stefamilie' (step-family), 'fosterfamilie' (foster family), and 'regnbuefamilie' (rainbow family/LGBTQ+ family).

Sykehuset kontaktet hans pårørende.

Translation: The hospital contacted his next of kin.

Comparing 'familie' to 'husstand' helps clarify that 'familie' is emotional and social, while 'husstand' is administrative. You might live in a 'husstand' with roommates who are not your 'familie'. Conversely, your 'familie' might be spread across many 'husstander'. By learning these distinctions, you gain a deeper understanding of how Norwegians categorize their social world.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

In ancient Rome, 'familia' was more about the property and legal control of the 'pater familias' than the emotional bond we associate with the word today.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /fɑˈmiːljə/

US /fɑˈmiːljə/

Second syllable (fa-MII-lie).

Rima con

belie verdilie lilje (near rhyme) vilje (near rhyme) skilie fossilie vigilie tvilie

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it like the English 'family' with the stress on the first syllable.
Merging the 'ie' into a single 'y' sound.
Forgetting the 'e' sound at the end.
Using a hard 'j' sound in the middle.
Nasalizing the 'a' sound.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English word 'family'.

Escritura 2/5

Requires remembering the 'ie' ending and masculine gender.

Expresión oral 2/5

The stress on the second syllable can be tricky for beginners.

Escucha 1/5

Clearly articulated in most dialects.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

mor far barn hjem en

Aprende después

slekt søsken besteforeldre tante onkel

Avanzado

pårørende arveoppgjør formuesforhold omsorgsovertakelse slektsforskning

Gramática que debes saber

Masculine noun endings

en familie -> familien

Possessive pronoun placement

familien min (common) vs min familie (formal)

Adjective agreement (masculine)

en snill familie

Plural formation for -ie nouns

familie -> familier

Genitive 's'

familiens bil

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Ejemplos por nivel

Jeg har en familie.

I have a family.

Uses the indefinite masculine article 'en'.

Familien min er snill.

My family is kind.

Uses the definite form 'familien' with the possessive 'min'.

Hvor er familien din?

Where is your family?

Question word 'hvor' with definite noun and possessive.

Dette er min familie.

This is my family.

Demonstrative 'dette' with possessive first (more formal).

Vi er en liten familie.

We are a small family.

Adjective 'liten' agrees with masculine 'familie'.

Familien bor i et hus.

The family lives in a house.

Definite singular 'familien' as the subject.

Jeg elsker familien min.

I love my family.

Verb 'elsker' followed by the object.

Er familien her?

Is the family here?

Simple yes/no question structure.

Vi skal besøke familien i helgen.

We are going to visit the family this weekend.

Future tense with 'skal' + infinitive.

Mange familier liker å gå på tur.

Many families like to go for a hike.

Indefinite plural 'familier'.

Familien min har en hytte på fjellet.

My family has a cabin in the mountains.

Possessive construction with 'har'.

Hvordan feirer familien din jul?

How does your family celebrate Christmas?

Adverb 'hvordan' in a present tense question.

Hele familien spiste middag sammen.

The whole family ate dinner together.

Past tense 'spiste' with 'hele' (the whole).

Er det en viktig tradisjon i familien?

Is it an important tradition in the family?

Preposition 'i' used for membership/context.

Hun vil gjerne ha en stor familie.

She would like to have a large family.

Modal verb 'vil' with 'gjerne'.

Familien min flyttet til Bergen i fjor.

My family moved to Bergen last year.

Past tense 'flyttet' with time expression.

Det er viktig å prioritere familien.

It is important to prioritize the family.

Infinitive clause as the subject.

Hvert familiemedlem har sine egne oppgaver.

Each family member has their own tasks.

Compound word 'familiemedlem'.

Familien er samfunnets viktigste enhet.

The family is the most important unit of society.

Superlative adjective 'viktigste'.

Vi må snakke om familiens økonomi.

We must talk about the family's finances.

Genitive 's' added to the definite form.

Hvordan påvirker jobben ditt familieliv?

How does the job affect your family life?

Compound word 'familieliv'.

De fleste familier i Norge har to barn.

Most families in Norway have two children.

Plural 'familier' in a general statement.

Han føler seg som en del av familien.

He feels like a part of the family.

Prepositional phrase 'som en del av'.

Hva betyr familie for deg?

What does family mean to you?

Abstract question about meaning.

Familien har gjennomgått store endringer de siste tiårene.

The family has undergone major changes in recent decades.

Present perfect 'har gjennomgått'.

Det krever god planlegging å drive en familiebedrift.

It requires good planning to run a family business.

Compound word 'familiebedrift'.

Mange opplever et sterkt forventningspress fra familien.

Many experience strong pressure of expectation from the family.

Compound 'forventningspress'.

Barnets beste skal alltid komme først i en familie.

The child's best interests shall always come first in a family.

Modal 'skal' expressing a rule or principle.

Vi må ta hensyn til familiens samlede inntekt.

We must take the family's total income into account.

Adjective 'samlede' (total/combined).

Familiepolitikken i Norge er lagt opp til å støtte begge foreldre.

Family policy in Norway is designed to support both parents.

Passive construction 'er lagt opp til'.

Han har ingen nær familie igjen i landet.

He has no close family left in the country.

Negative 'ingen' with 'nær familie'.

Familien fungerer som et sikkerhetsnett for mange.

The family functions as a safety net for many.

Metaphorical use of 'sikkerhetsnett'.

Konseptet 'familie' er i stadig endring i det senmoderne samfunnet.

The concept of 'family' is constantly changing in late-modern society.

Academic register with 'stadig endring'.

Arv og miljø spiller begge en rolle i formingen av en familie.

Nature and nurture both play a role in the shaping of a family.

Idiom 'arv og miljø'.

Det er en hårfin balanse mellom individets frihet og familiens behov.

There is a fine balance between the individual's freedom and the family's needs.

Metaphor 'hårfin balanse'.

Familiens sosiokulturelle status påvirker barnets muligheter.

The family's socio-cultural status affects the child's opportunities.

Compound adjective 'sosiokulturelle'.

Man kan ikke velge sin familie, men man kan velge sine venner.

One cannot choose one's family, but one can choose one's friends.

Generic pronoun 'man'.

Rettslig sett er definisjonen av familie mer kompleks enn før.

Legally speaking, the definition of family is more complex than before.

Adverbial phrase 'rettslig sett'.

Familiens samhold ble satt på en hard prøve under krisen.

The family's unity was put to a severe test during the crisis.

Idiom 'satt på en hard prøve'.

Det foreligger omfattende forskning på familiens betydning for helsen.

There is extensive research on the family's importance for health.

Formal verb 'foreligger'.

Diskursen rundt familien som institusjon er preget av dype ideologiske skiller.

The discourse surrounding the family as an institution is characterized by deep ideological divides.

High-level vocabulary like 'diskurs' and 'ideologiske'.

Familiens ontologiske status er et sentralt tema i moderne filosofi.

The ontological status of the family is a central theme in modern philosophy.

Technical philosophical term 'ontologiske'.

Å dekonstruere tradisjonelle familieverdier krever en nyansert tilnærming.

Deconstructing traditional family values requires a nuanced approach.

Infinitive as subject with 'dekonstruere'.

Familiens indre dynamikk er ofte en refleksjon av samfunnets maktstrukturer.

The family's internal dynamics are often a reflection of society's power structures.

Abstract noun 'maktstrukturer'.

Det er en iboende spenning i familien mellom tradisjon og modernitet.

There is an inherent tension in the family between tradition and modernity.

Adjective 'iboende' (inherent).

Familiens narrativ formes gjennom generasjoner av muntlig overlevering.

The family narrative is shaped through generations of oral tradition.

Passive 'formes' with 'overlevering'.

Rettsutviklingen har bidratt til en pluralisering av familieformer.

Legal developments have contributed to a pluralization of family forms.

Noun 'pluralisering'.

Familiens integritet må vernes mot utilbørlig innblanding fra staten.

The family's integrity must be protected against undue interference from the state.

Formal vocabulary 'utilbørlig' and 'innblanding'.

Colocaciones comunes

en stor familie

stifte familie

i familien

nær familie

familie og venner

familien min

hele familien

en lykkelig familie

familievennlig

familieforhold

Frases Comunes

Hvordan står det til med familien?

— A polite way to ask how someone's family is doing.

Hei! Hvordan står det til med familien din?

Det blir i familien.

— Used to say that something (a secret or a trait) stays within the group.

Ikke fortell det til noen, det blir i familien.

Velkommen til familien!

— A warm greeting to a new member, like a spouse or a new baby.

Gratulerer med bryllupet, velkommen til familien!

Familien kommer først.

— Expresses that family is the top priority.

For meg kommer familien alltid først.

Vi er som en familie.

— Describes a close-knit group of friends or colleagues.

På jobben er vi som en liten familie.

En god familie.

— Refers to a supportive and stable home environment.

Det er viktig å vokse opp i en god familie.

Å ha familie.

— Simply to have relatives or children.

Det er godt å ha familie rundt seg.

Hele familien er samlet.

— Used when everyone in the family is present, often for a holiday.

I kveld er hele familien samlet til middag.

Familien øker.

— A way to say a new baby is on the way.

Vi har en gladnyhet: familien øker til sommeren!

Det ligger til familien.

— Used for hereditary traits or common behaviors.

Alle er høye, det ligger til familien.

Se confunde a menudo con

familie vs slekt

Slekt refers to distant relatives or ancestry, while familie is usually more immediate.

familie vs venner

Friends are chosen, family is biological/legal (though 'valgt familie' exists).

familie vs husstand

Husstand is purely about who lives in the same house, regardless of relation.

Modismos y expresiones

"Å vaske sitt skitne tøy i offentlighet"

— To discuss private family problems in public. While it doesn't use the word 'familie', it's a key family-related idiom.

Man bør ikke vaske sitt skitne tøy i offentlighet.

informal

"Blod er tykkere enn vann"

— Family ties are stronger than any other relationships.

Selv om de krangler, er blod tykkere enn vann.

neutral

"Eplet faller ikke langt fra stammen"

— Children often behave like their parents.

Han er like sta som faren sin; eplet faller ikke langt fra stammen.

neutral

"Å være familiens sorte får"

— To be the odd one out or the 'disgrace' of the family.

Han følte seg alltid som familiens sorte får.

informal

"Å holde det i familien"

— To keep a matter private within the family unit.

Vi bestemte oss for å holde krangelen i familien.

neutral

"Å stifte bo og familie"

— To settle down, get a house, and start a family.

Nå er det på tide å stifte bo og familie.

formal

"I de beste familier"

— Happens even in the 'best' or most perfect families (often used ironically).

Slikt skjer selv i de beste familier.

neutral

"Å være av god familie"

— To come from a respectable or wealthy background.

Hun er av god familie og har fått en fin oppdragelse.

formal

"Å ha mange jern i ilden"

— While not strictly family, often used to describe busy family schedules.

Familien har mange jern i ilden denne uken.

informal

"Å bære familiens navn med stolthet"

— To uphold the reputation of one's family.

Han lovet å bære familiens navn med stolthet.

formal

Fácil de confundir

familie vs slekt

Both translate to 'family' in some English contexts.

Slekt is for the 'family tree', familie is for the 'family unit'.

Jeg har en stor familie (parents/kids), men en enda større slekt (cousins/aunts).

familie vs foreldre

Learners sometimes use 'familie' when they only mean 'parents'.

Foreldre is specifically mother and father.

Mine foreldre er på ferie.

familie vs søsken

Learners might use 'familie' to refer to their brothers and sisters.

Søsken is a gender-neutral word for siblings.

Jeg har tre søsken.

familie vs pårørende

Used in formal settings like hospitals.

Pårørende is a legal/medical term for next of kin.

De pårørende er informert.

familie vs hjem

Sometimes people say 'hjemme' when they mean 'with family'.

Hjem is the place, familie is the people.

Jeg skal hjem til familien.

Patrones de oraciones

Jeg har en [adjective] familie.

Jeg har en stor familie.

Dette er [possessive] familie.

Dette er min familie.

Familien min bor i [place].

Familien min bor i Oslo.

Vi skal [verb] med familien.

Vi skal spise med familien.

I vår familie pleier vi å [verb].

I vår familie pleier vi å gå på tur.

Det er viktig for familien at [clause].

Det er viktig for familien at vi samarbeider.

På grunn av familiens [noun], må vi [verb].

På grunn av familiens økonomi, må vi spare.

Definisjonen av familie har endret seg i takt med [noun].

Definisjonen av familie har endret seg i takt med samfunnsutviklingen.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

familiemedlem

familiefar

familiemor

familieliv

familiebedrift

familieforhold

familieøkning

Verbos

å stifte familie

Adjetivos

familievennlig

familiær

Relacionado

slekt

foreldre

søsken

barn

hjem

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high; one of the top 500 words in Norwegian.

Errores comunes

Jeg har ei familie. → Jeg har en familie.
'Familie' is masculine, so it must use 'en'.
Min familie er her. → Familien min er her.
While 'min familie' is correct, 'familien min' is much more natural in daily speech.
Hvor er familie din? → Hvor er familien din?
The noun must be in the definite form when followed by a possessive pronoun.
Vi er i familie. → Vi er i slekt.
To say 'we are related', the standard idiom is 'i slekt', not 'i familie'.
Han er et familiemedlem. → Han er et familiemedlem.
Actually, this is correct! But learners often forget that 'familiemedlem' is neuter because 'medlem' is neuter.

Consejos

Gender Matters

Always pair 'familie' with 'en'. Practice saying 'en stor familie' until it feels natural.

Compound Power

Learn words like 'familiemedlem' (member) and 'familieliv' (life) to expand your range quickly.

Sunday Tradition

Mention the 'søndagstur' when talking about family to sound more culturally aware.

Second Syllable Stress

Keep the stress on the 'mi' to avoid sounding like you're speaking English.

Polite Inquiries

Asking 'Hvordan går det med familien?' is a safe and kind conversation starter.

Definite Form

When using a possessive, remember the 'n' in 'familien min'.

Dialect Variations

Some dialects might say 'familia' instead of 'familien'. Don't let it confuse you!

Family First

Use 'Familien kommer først' to express your values clearly.

Visualize

Picture your own family and label them 'min familie' in your mind.

Nuance

Start distinguishing between 'familie' and 'slekt' in your B1/B2 studies.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of the 'FAM' in 'FAMous'. Your family is the most famous group of people in your life. The 'ilie' sounds like 'I lie' - 'In my family, I lie down to rest.'

Asociación visual

Imagine a large dinner table with a big 'F' shaped cake in the middle, surrounded by people laughing.

Word Web

Mor Far Søster Bror Hjem Kjærlighet Slekt Barn

Desafío

Try to list five members of your 'familie' in Norwegian and describe one thing each person likes to do.

Origen de la palabra

From Latin 'familia', which originally referred to the household establishment, including servants and slaves, as well as the master and his relatives.

Significado original: Household, including all dependents.

Indo-European (via Latin and French into Germanic languages).

Contexto cultural

Be mindful that 'familie' in Norway is very inclusive of LGBTQ+ couples and cohabiting partners who are not married.

Similar to English, but with a stronger emphasis on state-supported work-life balance.

The TV show 'Exit' (depicting dysfunctional family lives in Oslo's high finance). Jo Nesbø's 'The Son' (exploring family loyalty and revenge). Edvard Munch's paintings of family grief and intimacy.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

At home

Hva skal vi ha til middag, familie?
Jeg elsker familien min.
Vi må rydde huset.
Skal vi se en film?

At school

Tegn en tegning av familien din.
Hvor mange er dere i familien?
Hva gjør familien din i helgene?
Har du en stor familie?

At the doctor

Er det sykdommer i familien?
Hvem er din nærmeste pårørende?
Har familien din hatt dette før?
Hvordan er helsen til familien?

In a job interview

Vi har gode ordninger for familier.
Hvordan balanserer du jobb og familie?
Er du villig til å flytte med familien?
Vi er en familiebedrift.

On vacation

Vi ser etter en familiebolig.
Finnes det en familiebillett?
Er dette stedet barnevennlig?
Vi reiser med hele familien.

Inicios de conversación

"Kan du fortelle meg litt om familien din?"

"Bor familien din her i byen eller et annet sted?"

"Hva er din favoritt-tradisjon i familien?"

"Har du en stor eller liten familie?"

"Hvor ofte pleier du å se familien din?"

Temas para diario

Skriv om et hyggelig minne du har med familien din.

Hva betyr ordet 'familie' for deg personlig?

Beskriv en person i familien din som du ser opp til.

Hvordan har familien din endret seg de siste fem årene?

Hvis du kunne reise hvor som helst med familien, hvor ville du dratt?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is masculine: 'en familie'. In some dialects, it could theoretically be feminine, but in standard Bokmål, masculine is the rule.

Say 'familien min'. Putting the possessive after the definite noun is the most common way in spoken Norwegian.

The plural is 'familier' (indefinite) and 'familiene' (definite). For example: 'Mange familier bor her'.

Yes, it can, but usually, Norwegians use 'slekt' for cousins and 'familie' for the immediate household.

Absolutely! Many Norwegians consider their pets to be 'familiemedlemmer' (family members).

It means 'to start a family', usually by having children or getting married/settled.

Yes. 'Familien' is more immediate, 'slekta' is the wider circle of relatives.

It is two syllables: /i/ and /e/. It sounds a bit like 'ee-uh'.

Yes, you can say 'De er som en familie for meg' (They are like a family to me).

A 'rainbow family', referring to LGBTQ+ parents and their children.

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