When used as an adverb, kjempe means "very" or "extremely." It's an informal but very common way to intensify adjectives or other adverbs. Think of it like adding "super" or "really" in English.
For example, instead of just saying bra (good), you can say kjempebra (very good). It adds emphasis and makes your speech sound more natural.
You'll hear it a lot in everyday conversations in Norway, so it's a useful word to know to sound more like a native speaker.
In Norwegian, 'kjempe' can be used as an adverb meaning 'very' or 'extremely'. It's a common word you'll hear in many situations. This is how you really use it.
§ At work
Whether you're in an office, at a construction site, or in a cafe, 'kjempe' is useful for emphasizing things. It makes your descriptions stronger.
- DEFINITION
- Kjempe (adverb): Very, extremely. Often used to intensify adjectives.
Prosjektet var kjempevanskelig. (The project was very difficult.)
Vi fikk kjempebra resultater. (We got really good results.)
You can also combine 'kjempe' with other words to form new adjectives. This is very common in spoken Norwegian.
- Kjempefint (very nice)
- Kjempegodt (very good/delicious)
- Kjempeviktig (very important)
§ At school
In academic settings or during casual conversations with classmates, 'kjempe' is used to describe feelings, assignments, and experiences.
Eksamen var kjempestressende. (The exam was very stressful.)
Jeg synes læreren er kjempeflink. (I think the teacher is very good/skilled.)
It's common to hear students and teachers use this word to express their opinions or describe the intensity of something.
§ In the news
While news reports tend to be more formal, 'kjempe' can still appear in quotes or in more informal news segments. It often signifies a significant scale or intensity.
Det var en kjempenyhet for lokalsamfunnet. (It was huge news for the local community.)
Here, 'kjempe' can also imply 'giant' or 'colossal', referring to the magnitude of the news.
Politiet gjorde et kjempebeslag av narkotika. (The police made a huge seizure of narcotics.)
In these contexts, 'kjempe' as a prefix adds significant weight to the noun that follows.
Understanding 'kjempe' helps you grasp the nuances of Norwegian conversation and news. It's a small word with a big impact!
§ Kjempe (Adverb): Very/Giant - Understanding Its Usage
Alright, let's talk about 'kjempe'. This isn't just a word; it's a super-charger for your Norwegian sentences. As an adverb, 'kjempe' means 'very' or 'really'. It intensifies the adjective or adverb it precedes. You'll hear it all the time in everyday conversation in Norway, so mastering it will make your Norwegian sound much more natural.
It literally translates to 'giant' (as a noun), but when used as an adverb, it functions much like how we might say 'super' or 'extremely' in English. Think of it as a friendly, but powerful, emphasis.
- Definition
- Very/really (when used as an adverb to intensify an adjective or another adverb).
Here are some practical examples:
Det var kjempefint!
Translation hint: It was very nice!
Han er kjempeglad.
Translation hint: He is really happy.
Det er kjempeenkelt.
Translation hint: It's super easy.
§ Similar Words: Kjempe vs. Veldig vs. Svært
You've got a few options in Norwegian when you want to say 'very'. The most common ones you'll encounter are 'kjempe', 'veldig', and 'svært'. Let's break down when to use which.
- Kjempe: This is your informal, enthusiastic intensifier. Use 'kjempe' when you want to sound natural and conversational. It carries a slightly more emphatic tone than 'veldig'. Think of it like saying 'super' or 'really' in English. It's often used with positive adjectives, but can be used with negative ones for emphasis, although less commonly.
- Veldig: This is your go-to, all-purpose 'very'. It's neutral, widely used, and appropriate in almost any situation, both formal and informal. If you're unsure which to use, 'veldig' is always a safe bet. It's the most common and versatile choice.
- Svært: 'Svært' is more formal and often implies a higher degree of intensity than 'veldig'. It's less common in casual spoken language and more frequently found in written Norwegian or more formal speech. It can sometimes carry a connotation of 'extremely' or 'highly'.
Here’s a comparison:
Det er kjempegodt!
Translation hint: It's really good! (Enthusiastic, conversational)
Det er veldig godt.
Translation hint: It's very good. (Neutral, standard)
Det er svært godt.
Translation hint: It is extremely good. (More formal, higher degree)
§ Kjempe as a Noun
Just a quick note: 'kjempe' can also be a noun meaning 'giant' or 'champion'. You'll see it in words like 'kjempekamp' (giant fight/battle) or 'verdensmester' (world champion, literally 'world giant-master'). However, this section focuses on its adverbial use, which is what we're teaching you today.
For example:
Han er en kjempe i sjakk.
Translation hint: He is a giant/champion in chess.
But again, for this lesson, focus on 'kjempe' as your go-to word for 'very' in informal settings. It's a simple change that makes a big difference in how natural you sound.
Wusstest du?
The word 'kjempe' can also be a noun meaning 'giant' or a verb meaning 'to fight'/'to champion'.
Beispiele nach Niveau
Det var kjempebra!
That was very good!
Hun er kjempestolt.
She is very proud.
Vi hadde kjempegøy.
We had great fun. (very fun)
Maten er kjempedårlig.
The food is very bad.
Han er kjempesnill.
He is very kind.
Det er kjempevanskelig.
It is very difficult.
Jeg er kjempetrøtt.
I am very tired.
Været er kjempefint i dag.
The weather is very nice today.
Det var kjempebra at du kom i dag.
It was very good that you came today.
Han er kjempeflink til å synge.
He is very good at singing.
Været er kjempefint her i dag.
The weather is very nice here today.
Jeg er kjempestolt av hva vi har oppnådd.
I am very proud of what we have achieved.
Maten på restauranten var kjempegod.
The food at the restaurant was very good.
Det er kjempeviktig å huske på dette.
It is very important to remember this.
Hun ble kjempeglad for gaven.
She became very happy about the gift.
Prosjektet var kjempevanskelig, men vi klarte det.
The project was very difficult, but we managed it.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Meaning 'giant' or 'champion.' This is the primary meaning many learners encounter first, causing confusion when 'kjempe' is used as an adverb.
Meaning 'when' in questions. While 'når' also functions as a conjunction, its interrogative use can add to the confusion with 'da.'
The present participle of 'å ligge,' meaning 'lying.' It can be mistaken for the main verb or used incorrectly when 'å legge' is needed.
Leicht verwechselbar
Many learners primarily know 'kjempe' as a noun meaning 'giant' or 'champion.' Its use as an adverb meaning 'very' can be confusing because it doesn't seem to directly relate to its noun form in a straightforward way.
As a noun, 'en kjempe' is a large mythical being or an outstanding person. As an adverb, it modifies an adjective to intensify its meaning, similar to 'very' or 'extremely.'
Det var kjempebra! (It was very good!) Jeg er kjempeglad for å se deg. (I am very happy to see you.)
Both 'da' and 'når' can mean 'when,' leading to frequent errors in usage.
'Da' is used for a single past event or a period in the past. 'Når' is used for repeated events in the past, or for events in the present or future.
Da jeg var liten, bodde jeg i Bergen. (When I was little, I lived in Bergen.) Når jeg kommer hjem, skal jeg spise middag. (When I come home, I will eat dinner.) Når hun ringer, svarer jeg alltid. (When she calls, I always answer.)
These verbs are often confused due to their similar sounds and related meanings of 'to lie' and 'to lay,' which also cause confusion in English.
'Å ligge' means 'to lie' (intransitive – no direct object, the subject performs the action on itself). 'Å legge' means 'to lay' (transitive – takes a direct object, the subject performs the action on something else).
Boka ligger på bordet. (The book is lying on the table.) Jeg legger boka på bordet. (I lay the book on the table.)
Similar to 'ligge' and 'legge,' these verbs mean 'to sit' and 'to set' (or 'to put'), and their similar forms and functions lead to mistakes.
'Å sitte' means 'to sit' (intransitive). 'Å sette' means 'to set' or 'to put' (transitive).
Han sitter på stolen. (He is sitting on the chair.) Hun setter koppen på bordet. (She sets/puts the cup on the table.)
Both verbs mean 'to eat,' making it unclear when to use which.
'Å spise' is the general and polite verb for 'to eat.' 'Å ete' is often used for animals, or in a more informal/rough way for humans, sometimes implying eating a lot or greedily. It can also be used in some fixed expressions.
Vi skal spise middag. (We are going to eat dinner.) Hunden spiser/eter maten sin. (The dog eats its food.) Han åt opp all sjokoladen! (He ate up all the chocolate!)
Tipps
Kjempe as 'very'
In Norwegian, 'kjempe' can be used as an adverb meaning very, similar to 'veldig' or 'sykt'. It adds emphasis.
Common usage
You'll often hear 'kjempe' in everyday conversations. It's a popular way to intensify adjectives and adverbs.
Adverb placement
Like other adverbs of degree, 'kjempe' usually comes before the adjective or adverb it modifies. For example: 'kjempebra' (very good), 'kjempemorsomt' (very funny).
Don't confuse with 'giant'
While 'kjempe' can also mean giant as a noun, when used as an adverb, its meaning shifts entirely to very. Context is key!
Kjempe + adjective
This is the most common use. Think: 'kjempe + adjective'. For example, 'kjempefint' (very nice), 'kjempedyrt' (very expensive).
It can be combined with many adjectives
'Kjempe' is quite versatile. You can use it with a wide range of adjectives to express a high degree.
Informal but widely accepted
While 'kjempe' is a bit more informal than 'veldig', it's still perfectly acceptable in most casual and semi-formal contexts.
Sounds natural in Norwegian
Using 'kjempe' will make your Norwegian sound more natural and fluent, especially in spoken language. It's a very Norwegian way to express intensity.
Practice saying it
Try saying phrases like 'kjempebra' (very good), 'kjempestas' (very fun/cool), 'kjempevarmt' (very hot) out loud to get comfortable with the pronunciation and feel.
Sometimes used for emphasis even as a prefix
You might see 'kjempe' used as a prefix directly attached to a word, like 'kjempe-bra' or 'kjempeflott', especially in informal writing or online. This further emphasizes the 'very' meaning.
Wortherkunft
Old Norse
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: to fight/a warrior/giant
North GermanicKultureller Kontext
The concept of 'kjempe' as 'giant' or 'fighter' is prevalent in Norse mythology and Norwegian folklore, where jøtner (giants) often played significant roles. Using 'kjempe' as an intensifier is a common and natural part of everyday Norwegian speech.
Teste dich selbst 30 Fragen
Jeg er ___ trøtt i dag. (I am ___ tired today.)
'Kjempe' here means 'very' or 'extremely'.
Dette er en ___ god bok. (This is a ___ good book.)
'Kjempe' is used to emphasize that the book is 'very good'.
Været er ___ fint i dag. (The weather is ___ nice today.)
'Kjempe' makes the sentence mean 'The weather is very nice today'.
Han er ___ glad. (He is ___ happy.)
'Kjempe' here means 'very' or 'extremely' happy.
Maten var ___ god. (The food was ___ good.)
'Kjempe' describes the food as 'very good'.
Jeg har en ___ travel dag. (I have a ___ busy day.)
'Kjempe' is used to say 'very busy day'.
The weather yesterday was very nice.
She is very good at singing.
I am extremely busy right now.
Read this aloud:
Det er kjempegøy å lære norsk.
Focus: kjempe
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Han er kjempesnill.
Focus: kjempesnill
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Maten var kjempegod.
Focus: kjempegod
Du hast gesagt:
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This sentence means 'It was very difficult to understand the concept.' 'Kjempevanskelig' acts as a single compound adjective here, meaning 'very difficult.'
This sentence means 'She became very happy when she heard the news.' 'Kjempeglad' functions as a compound adjective meaning 'very happy.'
This sentence means 'The food at the restaurant was very good.' 'Kjempegod' is a compound adjective meaning 'very good.'
Været i Bergen er ofte __ vått, men det er også en del av sjarmen.
'Kjempe' here means 'very' and fits the context of emphasizing how wet it can be.
Det var en __ interessant forelesning om kvantefysikk i går kveld.
'Kjempe' emphasizes the high degree of interest, similar to 'very'.
Hun er en __ dyktig musiker; hennes fiolinspill er fantastisk.
'Kjempe' is used to intensify the adjective 'dyktig', meaning 'very skilled'.
Prosjektet vårt har vært __ utfordrende, men vi er nesten i mål.
'Kjempe' reinforces the extent of the challenge, meaning 'very challenging'.
Han snakket om sin reise til Antarktis, og det var __ spennende å høre på.
'Kjempe' highlights how exciting the story was, meaning 'very exciting'.
Det er __ viktig å forstå nyansene i det norske språket for å kommunisere effektivt.
'Kjempe' emphasizes the high importance, meaning 'very important'.
Imagine you've just returned from a trip to Norway. Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) describing something that was 'kjempe' in a positive way and something that was 'kjempe' in a challenging or negative way during your trip. Use 'kjempe' at least twice.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Min tur til Norge var kjempefin. Fjordene var kjempeimponerende, med utsikt som tok pusten fra meg. Været var imidlertid kjempedårlig en dag, noe som gjorde fotturen kjempestressende, men det var likevel en uforglemmelig opplevelse.
You are writing a review for a new Norwegian restaurant. Describe an item on the menu that was 'kjempegodt' (very good) and something about the atmosphere that was 'kjempemysig' (very cozy). Elaborate on why you found them to be so. (2-3 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Maten på den nye restauranten var kjempegod, spesielt laksen som var perfekt tilberedt. Atmosfæren var også kjempemysig, med dempet belysning og komfortable sitteplasser som skapte en avslappende stemning.
Your friend is considering moving to Norway. Write an email (3-4 sentences) telling them about something you find 'kjempebra' (very good) about living in Norway and one 'kjempeviktig' (very important) piece of advice for settling in.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Hei [Vennens navn], Jeg synes det er kjempebra at du vurderer å flytte til Norge. Naturen her er rett og slett fantastisk, og det er kjempefine muligheter for friluftsliv. Mitt kjempviktige råd er å lære seg norsk så raskt som mulig; det åpner mange dører.
Hva var det som ikke var 'kjempe' under konserten?
Read this passage:
På fredag kveld var det en kjempekonsert i sentrum. Bandet spilte kjempehøyt, og stemningen var kjempbra. Det var kjempe mange folk der, og alle danset og sang med. En uforglemmelig kveld for alle som var til stede.
Hva var det som ikke var 'kjempe' under konserten?
Teksten sier 'stemningen var kjempbra', som betyr at stemningen var veldig bra, ikke dårlig.
Teksten sier 'stemningen var kjempbra', som betyr at stemningen var veldig bra, ikke dårlig.
Hva er hovedbudskapet for anbefalingen av boken?
Read this passage:
Jeg har nettopp lest en kjempeinteressant bok om norsk historie. Den var kjempedetaljert og presenterte stoffet på en kjempeengasjerende måte. Jeg lærte kjempe mye nytt, og anbefaler den på det varmeste til alle som er interessert i temaet.
Hva er hovedbudskapet for anbefalingen av boken?
Teksten beskriver boken som 'kjempeinteressant', 'kjempedetaljert' og 'kjempeengasjerende', og forfatteren lærte 'kjempe mye nytt', som alt peker mot at den var informativ og fengende.
Teksten beskriver boken som 'kjempeinteressant', 'kjempedetaljert' og 'kjempeengasjerende', og forfatteren lærte 'kjempe mye nytt', som alt peker mot at den var informativ og fengende.
Hvilket ord beskriver best kontrasten i opplevelsen av vinteren i Nord-Norge ifølge teksten?
Read this passage:
Vinteren i Nord-Norge kan være kjempetøff, med kjempekorte dager og kjempekaldt vær. Men naturen er også kjempevakker, spesielt når nordlyset danser på himmelen. Det er en kjempeunik opplevelse, til tross for utfordringene.
Hvilket ord beskriver best kontrasten i opplevelsen av vinteren i Nord-Norge ifølge teksten?
Teksten nevner både de 'kjempetøffe' aspektene som korte dager og kaldt vær, og den 'kjempevaker' naturen med nordlyset. Dette viser en kompleks opplevelse med både utfordringer og skjønnhet.
Teksten nevner både de 'kjempetøffe' aspektene som korte dager og kaldt vær, og den 'kjempevaker' naturen med nordlyset. Dette viser en kompleks opplevelse med både utfordringer og skjønnhet.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Kjempe as 'very'
In Norwegian, 'kjempe' can be used as an adverb meaning very, similar to 'veldig' or 'sykt'. It adds emphasis.
Common usage
You'll often hear 'kjempe' in everyday conversations. It's a popular way to intensify adjectives and adverbs.
Adverb placement
Like other adverbs of degree, 'kjempe' usually comes before the adjective or adverb it modifies. For example: 'kjempebra' (very good), 'kjempemorsomt' (very funny).
Don't confuse with 'giant'
While 'kjempe' can also mean giant as a noun, when used as an adverb, its meaning shifts entirely to very. Context is key!
