This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A1 noun 11 min read

sommer

Examples sommer in 30 Seconds
Explanation sommer in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'sommer' is one of the first nouns you learn when discussing the weather and seasons. You should know that it is a masculine noun ('en sommer'). At this stage, focus on simple sentences like 'Jeg liker sommer' (I like summer) or 'Det er varmt om sommeren' (It is warm in the summer). You will use it to describe your basic preferences and the time of year. You should also learn the word 'sommerferie' (summer vacation) as it is a very common topic in beginner conversations. Remember that 'sommeren' means 'the summer'. You don't need to worry about complex prepositions yet, but try to memorize 'om sommeren' as a fixed phrase for 'in the summer'. You will mostly hear this word in the context of weather and simple greetings.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'sommer' to plan activities and talk about the past. You should master the three main prepositional phrases: 'i sommer' (this summer), 'til sommeren' (next summer), and 'om sommeren' (in general). You will use 'sommer' to describe your holiday plans, such as 'I sommer skal jeg reise til Spania' (This summer I am going to travel to Spain). You should also be able to use basic adjectives with the word, like 'en fin sommer' or 'en regnfull sommer'. At this level, you start to see compound words like 'sommerjobb' (summer job) and 'sommerklær' (summer clothes). Understanding the irregular plural 'somre' is important now, as you might want to say 'Jeg har bodd her i to somre' (I have lived here for two summers).
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B1 level, you use 'sommer' in more detailed descriptions and social contexts. You can discuss the cultural importance of the Norwegian summer, including traditions like 'St. Hans' (Midsummer). You should be comfortable using 'sommer' in subordinate clauses, for example: 'Selv om det er sommer, er det ofte kaldt i fjellet' (Even though it is summer, it is often cold in the mountains). You will encounter more specific compound words like 'sommervarme', 'sommerflørt', and 'sommerminne'. You should also be able to distinguish between 'sommer' as a season and 'sommertid' as daylight saving time. Your ability to use the word in different tenses and with more nuanced adjectives (e.g., 'strålende', 'ustabil') will improve. You might also start using the word in professional settings when discussing seasonal trends or holiday schedules.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, 'sommer' becomes a tool for more complex expression and idiomatic usage. You can discuss the environmental and economic impacts of the season, such as the importance of summer tourism to the Norwegian economy. You should be able to understand and use phrases like 'den norske sommeren er kort, men intens' (the Norwegian summer is short but intense). Your vocabulary will expand to include terms like 'høysommer' and 'sensommer'. You can handle more abstract uses of the word in literature or journalism. You should also be fluent in using the plural forms 'somre' and 'somrene' without hesitation. At this stage, you understand the subtle social cues associated with 'sommer', such as the 'fellesferie' and how it affects business operations and social life in Norway.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word 'sommer' and its place in the Norwegian identity. You can appreciate the nuances in poetry and prose where 'sommer' might symbolize youth, fleeting joy, or national pride. You can discuss complex topics such as how climate change is affecting the 'norsk sommer' and the traditional 'skjærgård' lifestyle. You are familiar with historical references to summer in Norway and can use the word in sophisticated rhetorical ways. You understand the etymological roots and how it relates to other Germanic languages. Your use of prepositions and definite/indefinite forms is flawless, even in complex or archaic constructions. You can also identify and use rare compound words and regional variations of the term.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like command of 'sommer'. You can engage in high-level academic or philosophical discussions about the seasonal nature of Nordic life. You understand the deepest cultural metaphors associated with the word, from the 'darkness' of the soul contrasted with the 'summer light' to the socio-economic history of summer farming (seterdrift). You can play with the word in creative writing, using it to evoke specific moods or historical periods. You are aware of the most obscure idioms and dialectal nuances. Your understanding of 'sommer' is not just linguistic but deeply cultural and historical, allowing you to interpret and produce texts that resonate with the same emotional weight as a native speaker.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples

sommer in 30 Seconds

  • Sommer is the Norwegian word for summer, a masculine noun ('en sommer').
  • It is the warmest season, typically spanning June, July, and August in Norway.
  • Grammatically, it has an irregular plural form: 'somre' (indefinite) and 'somrene' (definite).
  • Prepositions are key: 'i sommer' (this summer), 'til sommeren' (next summer), 'om sommeren' (general).

The Norwegian word sommer is a fundamental noun that represents much more than just a meteorological season; it encapsulates a profound cultural shift in the Norwegian psyche. For English speakers, 'summer' is a season of warmth, but in Norway, sommer is a hard-earned reward after a long, dark winter. It is the time of the midnight sun in the north and the 'white nights' in the south, where the sun barely dips below the horizon. Understanding sommer requires understanding the Norwegian relationship with nature and the outdoors.

Seasonal Context
In Norway, sommer officially spans June, July, and August. However, the 'feeling' of summer might arrive in late May or linger into early September. It is the peak of the 'friluftsliv' (open-air life) culture where people migrate to their 'hytter' (cabins) by the sea or in the mountains.
Cultural Significance
The term is central to the concept of fellesferie—the collective holiday period in July when the entire country seemingly goes on vacation. To speak of sommer is to speak of hope, light, and the social phenomenon of 'utepils' (enjoying a beer outdoors).
Grammatical Gender
The word is masculine (en sommer), though in some dialects or older forms, it can be feminine. Most learners should treat it as masculine: sommeren (the summer).

Vi skal reise til Sørlandet denne sommeren for å bade og kose oss.

Translation: We are going to Southern Norway this summer to swim and enjoy ourselves.

When Norwegians use the word sommer, they often associate it with specific sensory experiences: the smell of 'saltvann' (saltwater), the taste of 'norske jordbær' (Norwegian strawberries), and the sound of 'måker' (seagulls). It is a word heavy with nostalgia and anticipation. You will hear it in casual greetings ('Ha en fin sommer!'), in weather forecasts, and in the endless planning that begins as early as January for the upcoming summer holidays.

Det er ingenting som slår en norsk sommer når solen endelig skinner.

Translation: Nothing beats a Norwegian summer when the sun finally shines.

In professional settings, sommer dictates the rhythm of business. Deadlines are often moved to 'før sommeren' (before the summer) or 'etter sommeren' (after the summer). This seasonal boundary is much more rigid in Norway than in the UK or the US, where business often continues at a similar pace year-round. Understanding this word is key to understanding the temporal flow of Norwegian life.

Jeg håper vi får en varm sommer i år.

Translation: I hope we get a warm summer this year.

Finally, sommer is a compound-word magnet. You will see it attached to hundreds of other words: sommerferie (summer vacation), sommerkveld (summer evening), sommerkjole (summer dress), and sommermat (summer food). Each of these compounds carries a specific emotional weight, painting a picture of the ideal Scandinavian lifestyle.

Hva er dine planer for sommeren?

Translation: What are your plans for the summer?

Mange somre har passert siden vi sist var her.

Translation: Many summers have passed since we were last here.

Using sommer correctly in Norwegian involves mastering the prepositions and the definite form. Unlike English, where 'in summer' is standard, Norwegian uses different prepositions depending on whether you are talking about a specific summer, summers in general, or a future summer.

General Habit (Om sommeren)
To say 'in the summer' as a general rule, use om sommeren. This implies every summer or the season in general.
Example: Om sommeren liker jeg å gå tur.
Specific Current/Recent (I sommer)
To say 'this summer' or 'this past summer', use i sommer. Note that the noun is in the indefinite form here.
Example: Jeg har vært i Bergen i sommer.
Future Intent (Til sommeren)
To say 'next summer' or 'this coming summer', use til sommeren.
Example: Til sommeren skal vi flytte til Oslo.

Hva skal du gjøre til sommeren?

Translation: What are you going to do next summer?

When describing the quality of the summer, you use adjectives that must agree with the masculine gender of sommer. For example, 'en varm sommer' (a warm summer), 'en regnfull sommer' (a rainy summer), or 'den beste sommeren' (the best summer). In the definite form sommeren, the 'n' at the end acts as the word 'the'.

Sommeren i fjor var veldig varm og tørr.

Translation: The summer last year was very warm and dry.

In plural contexts, the word changes to somre. This is often used when counting years or reflecting on long periods. 'Mange somre' means 'many summers'. If you want to say 'the summers', you use somrene. Notice how the internal 'm' and 'e' structure shifts; this is a classic Norwegian syncopation where the unstressed vowel 'e' disappears before the plural ending.

Jeg husker de lange somrene fra barndommen min.

Translation: I remember the long summers from my childhood.

Compound words are also very common. In Norwegian, you don't usually use a space between 'sommer' and the following noun. Sommerjobb (summer job), sommerfugl (butterfly - literally 'summer bird'), and sommerhus (summer house) are all written as single words. This is a key difference from English where 'summer job' is two words.

Hun har fått en spennende sommerjobb i år.

Translation: She has gotten an exciting summer job this year.

Finally, the word sommer can be used metaphorically to describe a period of prosperity or youth. In poetry and literature, you might see phrases like 'livets sommer' (the summer of life). However, in daily speech, it remains firmly rooted in the physical season and the activities associated with it.

The word sommer is ubiquitous in Norway, appearing in everything from pop songs to government announcements. Because the Norwegian climate is so seasonal, the transition into sommer is a major news event every year.

In the News
Headlines often feature the word during the 'agurktid' (cucumber time - the slow news season of summer). You will see 'Sommervarmen kommer!' (The summer heat is coming!) or 'Slik blir sommeren' (This is how the summer will be) as meteorologists predict the weather.
In Music and Literature
Norway has a vast collection of 'sommerviser' (summer songs). Artists like Postgirobygget and Lillebjørn Nilsen have written iconic tracks that everyone sings at parties. The word sommer in these songs often evokes salt water, sun-kissed skin, and long nights.
In Casual Conversation
It is the standard small-talk topic from April to August. 'Gleder du deg til sommeren?' (Are you looking forward to summer?) is a phrase you will hear in every office and grocery store queue.

NRK har et program som heter Sommertoget som reiser rundt i landet.

Translation: NRK has a program called 'The Summer Train' that travels around the country.

In schools and universities, sommer marks the end of the academic year. Students talk about 'sommerferie' and 'sommeravslutning' (summer graduation/closing party). For many, the word is synonymous with the freedom from 'lekser' (homework) and 'eksamen' (exams).

Vi skal ha en liten sommerfest på jobben på fredag.

Translation: We are having a small summer party at work on Friday.

On social media, you will see the hashtag #norsksommer used for pictures of mountains, fjords, and people eating ice cream in the sun. It is a brand in itself, representing a specific aesthetic of rugged nature combined with relaxed leisure. Even in advertising, sommer is used to sell everything from 'sommerdekk' (summer tires) to 'sommermote' (summer fashion).

Det er meldt fantastisk vær hele sommeren.

Translation: Fantastic weather is predicted for the whole summer.

If you visit a Norwegian harbor in July, you will hear boat owners discussing the 'sommerbris' (summer breeze) and tourists asking for 'sommerruter' (summer schedules) for the ferries. The word is the heartbeat of the Norwegian tourism industry.

While sommer seems simple, English speakers often trip up on three specific areas: preposition choice, the irregular plural, and the difference between 'sommer' and 'sol'.

Preposition Confusion
In English, we say 'in the summer' for almost everything. In Norwegian, saying 'Jeg skal reise i sommeren' is incorrect. You must say 'i sommer' (this summer) or 'om sommeren' (generally in summer). Using the definite form with 'i' is a very common beginner mistake.
The Plural Trap
Learners often try to say 'sommerer' or 'sommere'. The correct indefinite plural is somre. This loss of the 'm' and 'e' is tricky. Similarly, the definite plural is somrene, not 'sommerene'.
Sommer vs. Sol
Sometimes learners use 'sommer' when they mean 'sunshine'. If you want to say 'It is summer outside' but you mean it's sunny, you should say 'Det er sol ute'. 'Det er sommer' refers to the date and season, not necessarily the current weather.

Feil: Jeg liker å bade i sommeren.
Riktig: Jeg liker å bade om sommeren.

Explanation: Use 'om sommeren' for habits or general preferences.

Another mistake is forgetting that sommer is masculine. While some dialects might treat it as feminine, standard Bokmål uses 'en sommer'. Using 'ei sommer' or 'sommera' is rare in formal writing and can sound inconsistent if not part of a specific dialect.

Feil: Det var et fin sommer.
Riktig: Det var en fin sommer.

Explanation: 'Sommer' is masculine, so it takes 'en' and the adjective ending '-n' (or no ending for 'fin').

Compound word errors are also frequent. English speakers often write 'sommer ferie' as two words. In Norwegian, this must be sommerferie. Splitting compound words (særskriving) is considered a significant spelling error in Norwegian and can sometimes change the meaning of a phrase entirely.

Vi var i Spania i fjor sommer.

Translation: We were in Spain last summer.

Finally, be careful with the word 'sommertid'. While it translates to 'summer time', it specifically refers to 'Daylight Saving Time'. If you want to talk about the 'time of summer' in a general sense, use 'sommeren' or 'sommertiden' (though the latter is less common).

In Norwegian, there are several words related to sommer that can help you sound more descriptive and precise. Depending on whether you're talking about the weather, the holiday, or the feeling, you might choose a different term.

Ferie (Vacation)
While sommer is the season, ferie is the time off. People often use them interchangeably in casual speech: 'Hva skal du i sommer?' often means 'What are you doing for your summer vacation?'.
Høysommer (High Summer)
This refers to the peak of summer, usually July, when the temperatures are highest and the nature is most lush. It's a more poetic or technical term.
Solskinn (Sunshine)
If you are specifically talking about the bright light of the sun, use solskinn or just sol. 'En sommer med mye sol' is a common way to describe a good year.

Det er endelig høysommer i fjellet.

Translation: It is finally high summer in the mountains.

You might also encounter sensommer (late summer). This refers to the period in August and early September when the air starts to get a bit crisp but the sun is still warm. It is often considered the most beautiful time in Norway because of the colors and the harvest.

Jeg elsker de lune kveldene i sensommeren.

Translation: I love the mild evenings in late summer.

In comparison with other seasons, sommer stands opposite to vinter (winter). The two are often contrasted in literature to represent life and death, or joy and hardship. Vår (spring) and høst (autumn/fall) are the transitional seasons. Unlike English, these four words are almost always used with the same preposition patterns (om sommeren, om vinteren, etc.).

Været i dag er veldig sommerlig.

Translation: The weather today is very summer-like.

If you want to be very specific about the heat, you can use sommervarme (summer heat). If you're talking about the light, sommerlys (summer light) is a beautiful word often used by photographers and painters to describe the unique quality of the Nordic sun.

Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Jeg liker sommer.

I like summer.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

2

Det er sommer nå.

It is summer now.

Using 'det er' to state a fact about the season.

3

Sommeren er varm.

The summer is warm.

Definite form 'sommeren' used as the subject.

4

Vi bader om sommeren.

We swim in the summer.

Use 'om' for general seasonal habits.

5

En fin sommer.

A nice summer.

Indefinite form with a masculine adjective.

6

Hvor er sommeren?

Where is the summer?

Question word 'hvor' with the definite noun.

7

Jeg har sommerferie.

I have summer vacation.

Compound word 'sommerferie'.

8

Solen skinner i sommer.

The sun is shining this summer.

Use 'i sommer' for the current season.

1

Hva skal du gjøre i sommer?

What are you going to do this summer?

Future intent with 'skal' and 'i sommer'.

2

Jeg skal jobbe hele sommeren.

I am going to work the whole summer.

Definite form 'sommeren' following 'hele'.

3

Vi reiser til hytta hver sommer.

We go to the cabin every summer.

Indefinite form 'sommer' after 'hver'.

4

Til sommeren skal vi til Italia.

Next summer we are going to Italy.

Use 'til sommeren' for future planning.

5

Det var en kald sommer i fjor.

It was a cold summer last year.

Adjective agreement with masculine noun.

6

Sommeren i Norge er vakker.

The summer in Norway is beautiful.

Definite subject with a prepositional phrase.

7

Jeg elsker norske somre.

I love Norwegian summers.

Irregular plural 'somre'.

8

Hun har en sommerkjole på seg.

She is wearing a summer dress.

Compound word 'sommerkjole'.

1

Vi må planlegge sommeren i god tid.

We must plan the summer well in advance.

Definite form 'sommeren' as a direct object.

2

Om sommeren er det lyst hele natten i nord.

In the summer it is bright all night in the north.

Adverbial phrase of time.

3

Sommerjobben min starter i juni.

My summer job starts in June.

Compound word 'sommerjobben' in definite form.

4

Jeg har mange gode sommerminner.

I have many good summer memories.

Compound word 'sommerminner'.

5

Det er viktig med solkrem om sommeren.

It is important with sunscreen in the summer.

General advice using 'om sommeren'.

6

Sommeren er den beste tiden på året.

Summer is the best time of the year.

Superlative 'beste' with definite noun.

7

Vi satt ute og pratet hele sommerkvelden.

We sat outside and talked the whole summer evening.

Compound word 'sommerkvelden'.

8

Det lukter sommer ute i dag.

It smells like summer outside today.

Metaphorical/sensory use of 'sommer'.

1

Sommeren brakte med seg en bølge av turister.

The summer brought with it a wave of tourists.

Subject with a metaphorical action.

2

Mange bedrifter stenger i fellesferien om sommeren.

Many businesses close during the collective holiday in the summer.

Cultural term 'fellesferien' linked with 'sommeren'.

3

Hun reflekterte over alle de somrene hun hadde tilbrakt på gården.

She reflected on all the summers she had spent on the farm.

Plural definite 'somrene'.

4

Det er en spesiell stemning i byen om sommeren.

There is a special atmosphere in the city in the summer.

Abstract noun 'stemning' qualified by the season.

5

Sommeren i fjor var preget av ekstremvær.

The summer last year was characterized by extreme weather.

Passive construction 'preget av'.

6

De fleste nordmenn foretrekker å være i Norge om sommeren.

Most Norwegians prefer to be in Norway in the summer.

Generalization about national habits.

7

Prisene på flyreiser stiger kraftig til sommeren.

Flight prices rise sharply for the summer.

Economic context using 'til sommeren'.

8

Sommeren er en tid for rekreasjon og hvile.

Summer is a time for recreation and rest.

Formal definition of the season's purpose.

1

Den nordiske sommeren har en helt egen lyskvalitet.

The Nordic summer has a completely unique light quality.

Specific adjective 'nordiske' with definite noun.

2

Sommeren fungerer som et eksistensielt pusterom for mange.

The summer functions as an existential breathing space for many.

Philosophical metaphor.

3

Det er i sommerhalvåret at aktiviteten er på sitt høyeste.

It is in the summer half of the year that activity is at its highest.

Technical term 'sommerhalvåret'.

4

Forfatteren skildrer sommeren som en tapt uskyld.

The author portrays the summer as a lost innocence.

Literary analysis.

5

Vi må ta høyde for at sommeren kan bli tørrere i fremtiden.

We must take into account that the summer may become drier in the future.

Climate change context.

6

Sommerens ankomst ble feiret med brask og bram.

The arrival of summer was celebrated with great fanfare.

Genitive form 'sommerens'.

7

Det er en hårfin balanse mellom en travel og en avslappende sommer.

There is a fine balance between a busy and a relaxing summer.

Idiomatic expression 'hårfin balanse'.

8

Sommeren er uløselig knyttet til den norske kystkulturen.

The summer is inextricably linked to the Norwegian coastal culture.

Formal academic tone.

1

Sommeren utgjør selve kulminasjonen av det biologiske året.

The summer constitutes the very culmination of the biological year.

Highly formal vocabulary 'kulminasjonen'.

2

I diktningen hans fremstår sommeren som en flyktig illusjon.

In his poetry, the summer appears as a fleeting illusion.

Abstract literary interpretation.

3

Den sosiokulturelle betydningen av sommeren i Skandinavia kan ikke overvurderes.

The socio-cultural significance of the summer in Scandinavia cannot be overstated.

Complex academic sentence.

4

Sommeren bærer i seg kimen til sitt eget forfall når høsten nærmer seg.

The summer carries within it the seed of its own decay as autumn approaches.

Poetic/philosophical paradox.

5

Det er en nostalgisk lengsel etter barndommens evige somre.

There is a nostalgic longing for the eternal summers of childhood.

Compound genitive 'barndommens' with plural 'somre'.

6

Sommerens kveldslys har inspirert generasjoner av malere.

The summer's evening light has inspired generations of painters.

Genitive with a specific compound noun.

7

Fenomenet 'sommer' er i ferd med å redefineres gjennom nye reisemønstre.

The phenomenon of 'summer' is in the process of being redefined through new travel patterns.

Sociological observation.

8

Sommeren er den prisme som vi betrakter resten av året gjennom.

The summer is the prism through which we view the rest of the year.

Metaphorical use of 'prisme'.

Common Collocations

en varm sommer
en fin sommer
i fjor sommer
hele sommeren
om sommeren
Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

Sommer German sommer Danish
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!