How to Say Thank You in Norwegian

Thank You Is the Same in Both Written Standards

Norwegian has two official written standards, Bokmål and Nynorsk, and Norwegians speak a wide range of dialects. Takk is takk in all of them. It is correct with shop staff or a stranger you stop for directions.

Tusen takk Is Heard as Often as Takk on Its Own

Tusen takk means "a thousand thanks" and is not saved for anything special. It is the usual way to thank someone in a shop, and it carries little more weight than takk.

Takk Is Understood in Sweden and Denmark

Norwegian, Swedish and Danish are close enough that speakers of one can follow the others. Takk, tack and tak are the same word, so a visitor moving between the three countries will be understood.

The Usual Reply to Takk

The most common reply is bare hyggelig, "just pleasant". Ingen årsak, "no cause", is just as usual, and vær så god is used when handing something over as well as in reply.

• Tusen takk

  TOO-sen TAHK

  A thousand thanks. Everyday rather than emphatic, and very common.

• Mange takk

  MAHNG-uh TAHK

  Many thanks. A little more formal, and common in writing.

• Takk skal du ha

  TAHK skal doo HA

  Thank you very much, said to one person. Warm and everyday.

• Takk for hjelpen

  TAHK for YEL-pen

  Thanks for the help, when someone has gone and found something for you.