Norwegian greetings: how to say hello, good morning and goodbye

You say hei, and it is correct in almost any situation. Norwegians address nearly everyone with the informal du (“you”), including bosses and strangers, so you don’t need a more formal greeting to be polite.

• Hei

  Hello / hi

  The everyday greeting, formal or informal.

• Hei hei

  Hi there!

  Cheerful; also used to say bye.

• Hallo

  Hello

  Also common when answering the phone.

• Heisann

  Hiya!

  Friendly and informal.

• Morn

  Hi / morning

  Colloquial; it comes from “god morgen” but is heard at any time of day.

In the morning you say god morgen and in the evening god kveld. God dag exists, but today it sounds formal or old-fashioned: in daily life people simply say hei at any time.

• God morgen

  Good morning

  Until mid-morning or so.

• God dag

  Good day

  Formal; rarely used in daily life.

• God ettermiddag

  Good afternoon

  Uncommon; sounds formal.

• God kveld

  Good evening

• God natt

  Good night

  Only when going to bed.

The most common goodbye is ha det or ha det bra, roughly “take care”. Among friends you will also hear snakkes (“talk soon”) and vi ses (“see you”).

• Ha det

  Bye

  Short and neutral. Often written “hade” in texts.

• Ha det bra

  Goodbye, take care

• Ha det godt

  All the best

  A little warmer.

• Vi ses

  See you

• Vi ses i morgen

  See you tomorrow

• Snakkes

  Talk soon

  Very informal, between friends and colleagues.

• Takk for i dag

  Thanks for today

  When leaving work or class.

Takk for sist literally means “thanks for last time” and you say it when you meet someone again after sharing something with them: a dinner, a party or a meeting. It is a very Norwegian custom and using it makes a good impression.

• Hei, og takk for sist!

  Hi, and thanks for last time!

• Takk for maten.

  Thanks for the food.

  Said after a meal at someone’s home.

• Takk for nå.

  Thanks for now.

  To close a conversation or a call.

You ask Hvordan går det? or Hvordan har du det?, and the usual answer is Bra, takk. Og du? (“Fine, thanks. And you?”). It is a polite question, so a short answer is enough.

• Hei! Hvordan går det?

  Hi! How’s it going?

• Bra, takk. Og du?

  Fine, thanks. And you?

• Jeg heter Ana. Hyggelig å møte deg!

  My name is Ana. Nice to meet you!

• Lenge siden!

  Long time no see!

• Velkommen!

  Welcome!

To introduce yourself and keep the conversation going, see these basic Norwegian phrases.

• When you meet someone new, you shake hands and say your name. Cheek kisses are not usual.
• Almost everyone is addressed as du. The formal De is very rarely heard today.
• At work people use first names, also with their managers.
• Saying hei when you walk into a shop or pass a neighbour is normal.