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B1 verb 8 min read

forske

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips forske in 30 Seconds

Explanation forske in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that forske is a verb related to science. You might not use it often yourself, but you will see it in simple texts about jobs. It means 'to do research'. At this stage, just remember that a forsker is a person who works with science. You can learn simple sentences like 'Jeg vil bli en forsker' (I want to be a researcher) or 'De forsker på dyr' (They research animals). Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just focus on the basic meaning. Think of it as a 'big' version of 'studere'. If you study something very, very deeply in a lab, you are forsking. It is a weak verb, so the past tense is forsket. This makes it easy to remember. Most A1 learners will encounter this word when talking about university or famous scientists like Marie Curie or Albert Einstein. Just remember: forske = science research.

At the A2 level, you can start using forske to describe what people do at work. You should be able to say things like 'Hun forsker på medisin' (She researches medicine). You should also learn the difference between forske and studere. While students studerer, scientists forsker. You can use the past tense forsket to describe things that happened before. For example, 'De forsket på viruset i fjor' (They researched the virus last year). You might also see the word in simple news articles about health or nature. It's a good word to have when you talk about your education or career goals. You should also start using the preposition på correctly. We always say forske på something. This is a very common pattern in Norwegian. Practice making sentences about different topics like 'forske på verdensrommet' (researching space) or 'forske på historie' (researching history).

At the B1 level, you are expected to use forske with more precision. You should understand that it implies a scientific method. You can use it in the passive voice, like det forskes mye på... (much research is being done on...). This is very common in Norwegian news and academic texts. You should also be familiar with related nouns like forskning (research) and forskningsprosjekt (research project). At this level, you should be able to discuss the importance of research for society. For example, 'Vi må forske mer på miljøvennlig teknologi' (We must research more on environmentally friendly technology). You should also distinguish forske from undersøke. Remember that undersøke is for specific cases (like a crime or a health check), while forske is for broader scientific study. B1 learners should also be able to use the perfect tense: 'De har forsket på dette i mange år' (They have researched this for many years). This shows a continuous effort in the past that is still relevant.

At the B2 level, you should use forske in academic and professional contexts with ease. You should be able to handle complex sentence structures and nuances. For instance, you might use the phrase å forske frem to describe the process of developing something new through research. You should also be comfortable with abstract subjects of research, such as 'å forske på sosiokulturelle endringer' (to research socio-cultural changes). At this level, you should understand the role of research in Norwegian society, including how it is funded and its influence on public policy. You can use the word in debates about ethics and science. For example, 'Bør vi forske på menneskelig kloning?' (Should we research human cloning?). You should also be able to read and summarize academic articles where the verb forske and its derivatives are used frequently. Your vocabulary should include synonyms like granske and utrede, and you should know exactly when to use each one to sound professional.

At the C1 level, your use of forske should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You should understand the subtle stylistic differences between å drive med forskning and å forske. You should be able to engage in deep discussions about research methodology, epistemology, and the philosophy of science using this verb. You will encounter the word in specialized academic journals and high-level policy documents. You should also be familiar with idiomatic or semi-idiomatic uses, such as å forske seg frem til et svar (to arrive at an answer through research). At C1, you can use the verb to critique existing research, discuss the validity of research results, and argue for specific research directions. You should also be aware of the historical development of the word and its place in the Norwegian linguistic landscape. Your ability to use forske in conjunction with complex adverbs like omfattende, grundig, or banebrytende will demonstrate your high level of proficiency.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of forske and all its academic and literary nuances. You can use the word in highly formal speeches, academic dissertations, and philosophical treatises. You understand the historical etymology and how it has evolved from Middle Low German to become a central term in modern Norwegian intellectual life. You can use it to describe the most abstract and complex forms of inquiry, often in the passive or with complex participial constructions. You are also able to use the word playfully or metaphorically in literature, should the context arise. Your understanding of the word includes its legal implications in research ethics and its political weight in national budgeting. You can navigate the most dense academic texts where forske is used to build complex arguments about the nature of truth and knowledge. Essentially, the word is a tool you can use with total precision and creative flexibility in any imaginable context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

forske in 30 Seconds

Forske is a Norwegian verb meaning 'to perform scientific research'.
It is used for academic, systematic, and professional investigations.
The word always requires the preposition 'på' when followed by a subject.
It is a weak verb, conjugated as forsker, forsket, har forsket.

The Norwegian verb forske represents the systematic, academic, and scientific pursuit of knowledge. Unlike the English verb 'to search' which can mean looking for your lost keys, forske is strictly reserved for the rigorous methodology of science and scholarship. When a Norwegian says they are 'forsker på noe,' they are implying a professional or academic investigation involving data, hypotheses, and peer review. It is the cornerstone of progress in medicine, technology, and the humanities.

Grunnforskning: Basic or fundamental research aimed at increasing the scientific knowledge base without immediate practical application. This is where the verb forske is most purely applied.
Anvendt forskning: Applied research designed to solve specific, practical problems. Even in industry, the act of forske maintains its high standard of evidence.
Tverrfaglig forskning: Interdisciplinary research where experts from different fields forsker together to solve complex global challenges like climate change.

In everyday conversation, you might hear a student say they want to forske in the future, meaning they aspire to be a scientist. It is a high-status verb that carries weight. It suggests a commitment to truth and the scientific method. You wouldn't use forske if you were just googling a recipe; you would use lete etter or søke. The distinction is vital for B1 learners to master.

Mange forskere velger å forske på fornybar energi for å redde miljøet.

The term is also used in social contexts metaphorically, though less commonly. A child might 'forske' on how many cookies they can eat before getting caught, but this is usually a playful use of the word. In professional settings, it is the standard term for R&D (Research and Development), often paired with the noun forskning.

Universitetet i Oslo er kjent for å forske på arktiske forhold.

Historically, the word comes from the Middle Low German 'vorschen', meaning to ask or inquire. However, in modern Norwegian, it has moved far beyond simple inquiry into the realm of structured, empirical data collection. Understanding this word is key to understanding the Norwegian emphasis on education and technology.

Det er viktig å forske grundig før man trekker en konklusjon.

Using forske correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical patterns and the specific prepositions it demands. The most common structure is å forsker på [subjekt]. This is the equivalent of 'to research [subject]' in English. You can research anything from 'partikkelfysikk' (particle physics) to 'barns språkutvikling' (children's language development).

Present Tense: Hun forsker på hvordan roboter kan hjelpe eldre mennesker i hverdagen.
Past Tense: De forsket på denne sykdommen i over ti år før de fant en kur.
Perfect Tense: Vi har forsket mye på klimaendringer i Arktis den siste tiden.

The verb is weak, following the standard '-et' or '-te' ending pattern in the past tense (forsket). It is important to note that forske is an intransitive verb in many contexts, meaning it doesn't always take a direct object without a preposition. You don't 'forske en vaksine'; you 'forsker på en vaksine' or you 'utvikler en vaksine gjennom forskning'.

Hva ønsker du å forske på når du begynner på doktorgraden din?

In academic writing, you will often see the passive form det forskes. This is a common way to say 'research is being conducted'. For example, 'Det forskes mye på kunstig intelligens i dag' (Much research is being done on artificial intelligence today). This construction allows the writer to focus on the research rather than the researchers themselves.

Det må forskes mer på langtidseffektene av denne medisinen.

Another variation is å forske frem. This means to discover or develop something through research. 'De forsket frem en ny metode for vannrensing' (They developed a new method for water purification through research). This adds a sense of result or achievement to the action.

Forskerne håper å forske frem en løsning på problemet i løpet av året.

In Norway, a country that invests heavily in the 'knowledge economy', you will hear forske everywhere from the evening news (Dagsrevyen) to university hallways. It is a word associated with authority and progress. Public broadcasters like NRK frequently feature segments starting with 'Forskere har nå...' (Researchers have now...).

News & Media: 'Ny forskning viser at...' (New research shows that...) is one of the most common phrases in Norwegian media, highlighting the results of those who forsker.
Academic Settings: At institutions like NTNU or UiO, professors discuss what they forsker på to secure funding (forskningsmidler) and attract PhD candidates.
Political Debate: Politicians often argue that we need to forske mer on specific social issues before implementing new laws, using the word as a call for evidence-based policy.

You will also encounter this word in job advertisements. Many positions in the private sector, especially in the oil, gas, and biotech industries, require candidates who can forske and innovate. The word is synonymous with 'working at the cutting edge'.

Vi søker en person som kan forske på nye materialer til havvindparker.

In popular culture, documentaries (dokumentarer) and educational programs like 'Schrödingers katt' (a famous Norwegian science show) use forske to explain complex topics to the public. It is a word that bridges the gap between the ivory tower of academia and the curiosity of the general public.

I kveldens program skal vi se på hvordan eksperter forsker på hjernens mysterier.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is using forske when they actually mean 'to search' or 'to look for'. In English, 'research' can sometimes be used loosely (e.g., 'I researched the best hotels for my trip'). In Norwegian, this would sound very strange. You don't forske on hotels; you undersøker or sjekker them.

Mistake 1: Casual Searching: Incorrect: Jeg skal forske på en god restaurant. (Sounds like you are doing a PhD on a restaurant). Correct: Jeg skal finne en god restaurant.
Mistake 2: Preposition Confusion: Incorrect: Han forsker om kreft. Correct: Han forsker på kreft. While 'om' is used with 'snakke' (talk about), 'forske' almost always takes 'på'.
Mistake 3: Confusing with 'Undersøke': 'Undersøke' is for examining a specific thing (like a crime scene or a patient). 'Forske' is for general scientific inquiry. You don't forske a broken leg; you undersøker it.

Another mistake is using the noun forsker (researcher) as a verb. Remember that Norwegian verbs and nouns are distinct. 'Jeg researcher' is not Norwegian; it is 'Jeg forsker'. Avoid the 'Swenglish' or 'Norwenglish' tendency to just add a Norwegian ending to an English word.

Husk: Man forsker på et tema, man undersøker en sak.

Finally, be careful with the word utforske. While forske is scientific, utforske means 'to explore'. You utforsker a cave or a new city, but you forsker on the geological properties of the cave's rocks. The difference is the level of scientific intent.

Ikke si at du forsker i skogen hvis du bare går en tur; da utforsker du den.

To expand your vocabulary beyond forske, you need to understand the nuances of synonyms that deal with investigation and study. Norwegian has several words that overlap with 'research' but are used in specific contexts.

Undersøke: To examine, investigate, or inspect. Used by doctors, police, and in general situations. Example: 'Legen må undersøke kneet ditt' (The doctor must examine your knee).
Utforske: To explore. Used for geography, space, or new ideas. Example: 'Vi skal utforske fjellet' (We are going to explore the mountain).
Granske: To scrutinize or audit. Often used in legal or financial contexts. Example: 'De skal granske regnskapet' (They are going to audit the accounts).
Studere: To study. Generally used for students at school or university. Example: 'Jeg studerer medisin' (I am studying medicine).

When choosing between these, ask yourself: 'Is this a scientific endeavor?' If yes, use forske. 'Is this a physical exploration?' Use utforske. 'Is this a specific check-up or investigation?' Use undersøke. This clarity will make your Norwegian sound much more natural and precise.

Mens studentene studerer pensum, må professorene forske på nye teorier.

There is also the term utrede, which means to report on or evaluate a situation, often used by government committees. For example, 'Regjeringen skal utrede konsekvensene av den nye skatten' (The government will evaluate the consequences of the new tax). This is a formal type of research but more focused on policy than pure science.

Det er stor forskjell på å forske og det å bare undersøke noe overfladisk.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Det er maktpåliggende at vi fortsetter å forske på de langsiktige konsekvensene."

Neutral

"De forsker på hvordan vi kan bruke mindre strøm."

Informal

"Jeg sitter og forsker litt på dette problemet, men finner ikke ut av det."

Child friendly

"Vil du være med å forske på småkryp i hagen?"

Slang

"Han driver og forsker på noe greier i garasjen."

Fun Fact

While 'forske' now sounds very academic, its root is the same as the German word 'forschen'. In the Middle Ages, it was used more generally for asking questions, but as science became more organized, the word's meaning narrowed to scientific inquiry.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈfɔʂkə/

US /ˈfɔɹskə/

The stress is on the first syllable: FOR-ske.

Rhymes With

torske (to cod-fish) doriske (Doric) noriske (Noric) moralske (moral - plural) norske (Norwegian - plural) kloriske (chloric) euforiske (euphoric) historiske (historical)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'rs' as two separate sounds instead of the single 'sh' sound (ʂ).
Making the 'o' sound too long like in 'boat'.
Pronouncing the final 'e' too strongly like 'ee'.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'fiske' (to fish).
Dropping the 'r' completely without making the 'sh' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is easy to recognize in text as it often appears in scientific contexts.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct preposition 'på' and understanding of the verb-noun distinction.

Speaking 3/5

The 'rs' retroflex sound can be tricky for beginners to pronounce correctly.

Listening 2/5

Very common in news, so learners will hear it frequently and recognize it.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

vitenskap skole lære undersøke viktig

Learn Next

forskning hypotese teori metode konklusjon

Advanced

epistemologi empiri validitet reliabilitet paradigmeskifte

Grammar to Know

Weak Verbs (Group 1)

forske -> forsker -> forsket -> har forsket

Passive with -es

Det forskes mye på dette.

Prepositional Verbs

forske + på

Compound Noun Formation

forskning + prosjekt = forskningsprosjekt

Modal Verbs with Infinitive

Jeg vil forske.

Examples by Level

Jeg vil forske på stjerner.

I want to research stars.

Simple present tense with 'vil' (want to).

De forsker på dyr.

They research animals.

Present tense verb 'forsker'.

Han er en mann som forsker.

He is a man who researches.

Relative clause starting with 'som'.

Hun forsket på skolen.

She researched at school.

Past tense 'forsket'.

Vi må forske mer.

We must research more.

Modal verb 'må' followed by infinitive.

Hva forsker du på?

What are you researching?

Interrogative sentence.

Barn liker å forske.

Children like to research (explore/investigate).

Infinitive after 'liker å'.

De har forsket i dag.

They have researched today.

Present perfect tense.

Forskerne forsker på en ny vaksine.

The researchers are researching a new vaccine.

Subject-verb-preposition-object structure.

Hun forsket på fisk i fjor.

She researched fish last year.

Past tense with time adverbial 'i fjor'.

Det er spennende å forske på historie.

It is exciting to research history.

Dummy subject 'det' with adjective phrase.

De skal forske på klimaet i Arktis.

They are going to research the climate in the Arctic.

Future tense with 'skal'.

Hvorfor forsker de på dette?

Why are they researching this?

Question word 'hvorfor'.

Han har forsket på mange ting.

He has researched many things.

Present perfect with 'mange ting'.

Vi trenger penger for å forske.

We need money in order to research.

Purpose clause with 'for å'.

Hun vil forske på planter.

She wants to research plants.

Modal verb 'vil'.

Det forskes mye på kunstig intelligens nå om dagen.

Much research is being done on artificial intelligence these days.

Passive voice using '-es' ending.

Han har forsket på dette temaet i flere år.

He has researched this topic for several years.

Present perfect indicating duration.

Det er viktig at vi forsker på bærekraftige løsninger.

It is important that we research sustainable solutions.

Subordinate clause starting with 'at'.

De forsket frem en ny metode for medisinering.

They developed (researched) a new method for medication.

Verb phrase 'forske frem'.

Forskeren valgte å forske på havbunnen.

The researcher chose to research the seabed.

Infinitive phrase as object of 'valgte'.

Mange drømmer om å forske ved universitetet.

Many dream of researching at the university.

Prepositional phrase 'drømmer om å'.

Hva er det mest interessante du har forsket på?

What is the most interesting thing you have researched?

Superlative adjective with relative clause.

Vi må forske mer på hvordan hjernen fungerer.

We must research more on how the brain works.

Indirect question within a prepositional phrase.

Det er nødvendig å forske grundig før man konkluderer.

It is necessary to research thoroughly before concluding.

Adverb 'grundig' modifying the verb.

De har forsket på sammenhengen mellom kosthold og helse.

They have researched the connection between diet and health.

Complex noun phrase 'sammenhengen mellom... og...'.

Å forske krever både tålmodighet og nøyaktighet.

Researching requires both patience and accuracy.

Infinitive as a subject.

Prosjektet går ut på å forske på fornybar energi.

The project consists of researching renewable energy.

Phrasal verb 'gå ut på å'.

De forsket på hvordan språket endrer seg over tid.

They researched how language changes over time.

Reflexive verb 'endrer seg' in a subordinate clause.

Det ble forsket på dette fenomenet allerede på 1800-tallet.

This phenomenon was already researched in the 1800s.

Passive construction with 'ble forsket'.

Han ønsker å forske på sosiale mediers påvirkning.

He wishes to research the influence of social media.

Genitive 'mediers' and compound noun 'påvirkning'.

Vi har ennå ikke forsket nok på langtidseffektene.

We have not yet researched the long-term effects enough.

Adverb 'ennå ikke' and 'nok'.

Det er avgjørende å forske på de underliggende årsakene til fattigdom.

It is crucial to research the underlying causes of poverty.

Formal adjective 'avgjørende' and complex noun phrase.

Akademikere må forske uavhengig av politiske interesser.

Academics must research independently of political interests.

Adverbial phrase 'uavhengig av'.

Man har forsket seg frem til at teorien ikke stemmer.

Research has led to the conclusion that the theory is incorrect.

Resultative construction 'forsket seg frem til'.

Det forskes intenst på å finne en løsning på klimakrisen.

Intense research is being done to find a solution to the climate crisis.

Adverb 'intenst' with passive '-es'.

Hun har forsket omfattende på norsk utvandring til Amerika.

She has researched extensively on Norwegian emigration to America.

Adverb 'omfattende'.

Å forske på etisk tvilsomme områder krever godkjenning.

Researching ethically questionable areas requires approval.

Complex subject phrase with adjective 'tvilsomme'.

De forsket på hvordan makt fordeles i samfunnet.

They researched how power is distributed in society.

Passive 'fordeles' in a subordinate clause.

Det er viktig å forske på tvers av landegrenser.

It is important to research across national borders.

Prepositional phrase 'på tvers av'.

Det er imperativt å forske på de ontologiske forutsetningene for kunnskap.

It is imperative to research the ontological prerequisites for knowledge.

Highly formal academic vocabulary ('imperativt', 'ontologiske').

Forskningsmiljøet har i årevis forsket på de intrikate mekanismene i genomet.

The research community has for years researched the intricate mechanisms in the genome.

Complex subject and precise scientific terminology.

Ved å forske på marginaliserte grupper, kan man avdekke systemisk urettferdighet.

By researching marginalized groups, one can uncover systemic injustice.

Gerund-like construction 'ved å forske'.

Det er utfordrende å forske på fenomener som unndrar seg empirisk observasjon.

It is challenging to research phenomena that elude empirical observation.

Relative clause with a formal reflexive verb 'unndrar seg'.

Man må forske med en kritisk distanse til egne fordommer.

One must research with a critical distance from one's own prejudices.

Prepositional phrase 'med en kritisk distanse til'.

De har forsket frem en forståelse som utfordrer det eksisterende paradigmet.

They have developed through research an understanding that challenges the existing paradigm.

Verb phrase 'forsket frem' with a complex relative clause.

Det forskes kontinuerlig på å optimalisere ressursutnyttelsen i industrien.

Research is continuously being done to optimize resource utilization in industry.

Passive '-es' with adverb 'kontinuerlig'.

Å forske på bevissthetens natur er kanskje vitenskapens største utfordring.

Researching the nature of consciousness is perhaps science's greatest challenge.

Infinitive subject with genitive 'bevissthetens'.

Common Collocations

forske på

forske frem

forske i

det forskes

forske grundig

begynne å forske

ønske å forske

forske tverrfaglig

aktivt forske

forske videre

Common Phrases

Å forske på spreng

— To research very intensely or at high speed. Often used during crises.

De forsker på spreng for å finne en løsning.

Ny forskning viser

— A standard phrase in news to introduce new scientific findings. It means 'New research shows'.

Ny forskning viser at kaffe er sunt.

Forskning og utvikling

— The full term for R&D (Research and Development). Often abbreviated as FoU.

Bedriften satser mye på forskning og utvikling.

Å drive med forskning

— A common way to say that one is engaged in research as a profession.

Han har drevet med forskning i tjue år.

En forsker ved universitetet

— A standard way to identify a person's role as a researcher at a specific institution.

Hun er forsker ved Universitetet i Bergen.

Banebrytende forskning

— Research that breaks new ground or is revolutionary. Very positive connotation.

Dette er banebrytende forskning på kreft.

Anvendt forskning

— Research that is applied to practical problems rather than being purely theoretical.

Vi fokuserer på anvendt forskning i vårt firma.

Forskningens betydning

— The importance or significance of research for society or a field.

Vi må ikke glemme forskningens betydning.

Å publisere forskning

— The act of getting research results printed in an academic journal.

Det er viktig å publisere forskningen sin.

Tverrfaglig forskning

— Research that involves multiple academic disciplines working together.

Dette prosjektet krever tverrfaglig forskning.

Often Confused With

forske vs lete

Lete means to look for something lost. You don't 'forske' for your keys.

forske vs søke

Søke means to search (like on Google) or to apply for a job.

forske vs undersøke

Undersøke is for specific examinations, like a doctor checking a patient.

Idioms & Expressions

"Å forske seg frem til"

— To reach a conclusion or discover something after a long and systematic study.

De har forsket seg frem til en ny forståelse av universet.

Neutral/Academic

"Å være i forskningsfronten"

— To be at the leading edge of scientific research globally.

Norge ønsker å være i forskningsfronten på marin biologi.

Formal

"Å forske i blinde"

— To do research without a clear hypothesis or direction. Often used negatively.

Uten gode data forsker vi i blinde.

Informal/Metaphorical

"Å sette i gang forskning"

— To initiate or start a new research project, often after a decision or funding.

Regjeringen vil sette i gang forskning på psykisk helse.

Neutral

"Å forske på det ukjente"

— To investigate things that are completely unknown or mysterious.

Vitenskapens mål er å forske på det ukjente.

Literary

"Å forske med lupe"

— To research something with extreme attention to detail (metaphorical use of 'magnifying glass').

Han forsker på gamle dokumenter med lupe.

Informal

"Å ha forskerblikk"

— To have the analytical and observant eye of a researcher.

Hun ser på verden med et nysgjerrig forskerblikk.

Literary

"Å forske på egen hånd"

— To do research independently, without a large team or institution.

Han liker å forske på egen hånd i helgene.

Neutral

"Å forske for forskningens skyld"

— To do research out of pure curiosity, without caring about practical results.

Noen mener vi bør forske for forskningens skyld.

Academic/Philosophical

"Å forske på tvers"

— To research across boundaries, whether they be academic, national, or organizational.

Vi må forske på tvers for å løse klimakrisen.

Professional

Easily Confused

forske vs utforske

Both involve looking into something.

Utforske is 'to explore' (geography, ideas). Forske is 'to research' (science, data).

Vi utforsket skogen, men vi forsket på plantene der.

forske vs granske

Both involve deep study.

Granske is used for audits or legal scrutiny. Forske is for scientific discovery.

De gransket budsjettet, men forsket på økonomisk teori.

forske vs studere

Both are academic.

Studere is what students do to learn. Forske is what experts do to find new knowledge.

Jeg studerer for å bli en som kan forske.

forske vs utrede

Both involve reports.

Utrede is for policy evaluation. Forske is for fundamental science.

Staten utreder saken, mens forskere forsker på årsakene.

forske vs fiske

Similar sound.

Fiske means to fish. Forske means to research.

Jeg liker å fiske, men jeg hater å forske.

Sentence Patterns

Jeg vil forske på [tema].

Jeg vil forske på solsystemet.

Han/Hun forsker på [tema].

Hun forsker på medisin.

Det forskes mye på [tema].

Det forskes mye på miljø.

De har forsket på [tema] i mange år.

De har forsket på dette i ti år.

Ved å forske på [tema], kan man [resultat].

Ved å forske på dna, kan man finne kurer.

Det er avgjørende å forske på de [adjektiv] [tema].

Det er avgjørende å forske på de ontologiske aspektene.

Academic

Forskningen tar sikte på å [verb].

Forskningen tar sikte på å belyse saken.

Formal

Det bør iverksettes mer forskning på [tema].

Det bør iverksettes mer forskning på feltet.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Highly common in academic, professional, and news contexts.

Common Mistakes

Jeg skal forske på en ny bil på internett. → Jeg skal søke etter en ny bil på internett.
You don't 'forske' when shopping or browsing; you 'søker' or 'sjekker'.
Han forsker om kreft. → Han forsker på kreft.
The verb 'forske' always takes the preposition 'på'.
Forskningen min er å finne nøklene mine. → Jeg leter etter nøklene mine.
'Forskning' is too formal for looking for lost objects.
Jeg vil bli en forskning. → Jeg vil bli en forsker.
'Forskning' is the activity; 'forsker' is the person.
Legen forsket på pasienten. → Legen undersøkte pasienten.
A doctor 'undersøker' (examines) a patient; they only 'forsker' if it's a scientific study.

Tips

Always use 'på'

Never say 'forske om'. It's always 'forske på'. This is the most common mistake for learners.

Forsker vs. Forskning

Remember that 'forsker' is the person (researcher) and 'forskning' is the activity (research). Don't mix them up.

Academic Tone

Use 'det forskes' in your essays to sound more professional and academic.

Forske vs. Lete

Use 'lete' for your keys and 'forske' for your PhD. The distinction is about the level of science involved.

The 'rs' Sound

Make sure to pronounce 'rs' as 'sh'. It's the key to sounding like a native speaker when saying 'forske'.

News Vocabulary

When you hear 'Ny forskning viser' on the radio, you know a science story is coming.

CV Tip

If you have done academic work, use the word 'forsket' on your Norwegian CV to show your expertise.

For Science!

Think: 'FORske is FOR Science'. This will help you remember it's about research.

Build Words

You can add 'forskning' to many words, like 'havforskning' (ocean research) or 'romforskning' (space research).

Middle Low German

Knowing it comes from 'vorschen' (to ask) helps you understand its deep roots in inquiry.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'FOR-est' of knowledge. To find the truth, you must 'FOR-ske' through the trees of data. Or imagine a 'FOR-ce' of scientists searching for answers.

Visual Association

Imagine a scientist in a white lab coat looking through a microscope. Next to them is a sign that says 'FORSKE PÅ' followed by a picture of a virus or a star.

Word Web

forskning forsker vitenskap hypotese teori data analyse konklusjon

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about what you would like to research if you were a scientist. Use the pattern 'Jeg vil forske på...' and three different topics.

Word Origin

The word 'forske' comes from the Middle Low German word 'vorschen'. This was a common trade language in the Hanseatic era which heavily influenced Norwegian. In Middle Low German, it meant to ask, inquire, or search for information.

Original meaning: To ask, to inquire, or to search.

Germanic (West Germanic root via Middle Low German).

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities, but always ensure you use the word for actual scientific work to avoid sounding like you are trivializing the profession.

In English, 'research' is both a noun and a verb. In Norwegian, 'forske' is the verb and 'forskning' is the noun. Be careful not to use them interchangeably.

Fridtjof Nansen (Famous researcher and explorer) The Nobel Peace Prize (Often involves research-based peace work) University of Oslo (Norway's oldest research institution)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medicine

forske på kreft
forske på vaksiner
klinisk forskning
forske på hjernen

Environment

forske på klimaendringer
forske på fornybar energi
forske på plast i havet
miljøforskning

Technology

forske på kunstig intelligens
forske på nye materialer
teknologisk forskning
forske på datasikkerhet

History/Social Science

forske på vikingtiden
forske på samfunnsendringer
historisk forskning
forske på migrasjon

Education

pedagogisk forskning
forske på læring
forske på barns utvikling
skoleforskning

Conversation Starters

"Hva ville du ha forsket på hvis du var en vitenskapsmann?"

"Tror du det er viktig å forske på verdensrommet?"

"Har du noen gang vurdert å forske på noe profesjonelt?"

"Hvilken type forskning synes du er mest interessant?"

"Mener du vi bør forske mer på kunstig intelligens?"

Journal Prompts

Skriv om et tema du gjerne vil forske på og hvorfor dette er viktig for deg.

Beskriv hvordan verden ville vært hvis ingen hadde valgt å forske på medisin.

Reflekter over forskjellen mellom å 'studere' og det å 'forske' på noe.

Skriv en fiktiv historie om en forsker som finner ut noe helt utrolig.

Diskuter om det er noen ting vi ikke bør forske på av etiske grunner.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that would sound very strange. Use 'søke på Google' or 'google' (as a verb) instead. 'Forske' is only for scientific or academic research.

The most common and correct preposition is 'på'. For example: 'Jeg forsker på norsk historie'. Occasionally 'i' is used if you are researching inside a specific source, like 'forske i arkivene'.

'Forsker' is the present tense of the verb (he/she researches) AND it is the noun for a person (a researcher). Context tells you which is which.

'Undersøke' is for examining a specific instance (a crime, a body part, a machine). 'Forske' is for broader, systematic scientific study aimed at general knowledge.

You say 'en forsker'. The plural is 'forskere'.

You say 'forskning'. For example: 'Forskning er viktig'.

It is a weak verb. It follows the Group 1 pattern: forsker, forsket, har forsket.

Yes, in an educational context, we often say children 'forsker' when they do science experiments in school.

It means to discover or create something through the process of research, like a new medicine or a technical solution.

Yes, very often! 'Det forskes mye' means 'much research is being done'. It's very common in formal Norwegian.