learn.no grammatikk Verbs in Present Tense
A1/A2 grammatikk

Verbs in Present Tense

Learn how Norwegian verbs are conjugated in the present tense. Simple and systematic.

📅 5. May 2026 👁️ 30 🇳🇴 🇺🇦 🇪🇸 🇬🇷 🇩🇪

In Norwegian, present tense conjugation is very simple: all verbs get the ending -r, regardless of person!

The basic rule

infinitive → present tense: add -r

å snakke → snakker  |  å bo → bor  |  å lese → leser

The most common verbs

InfinitivePresent tenseExample
å være — to beerJeg er norsk. — I am Norwegian.
å ha — to haveharJeg har en jobb. — I have a job.
å bo — to liveborJeg bor i Oslo. — I live in Oslo.
å snakke — to speaksnakkerJeg snakker norsk. — I speak Norwegian.
å jobbe — to workjobberHun jobber på sykehuset. — She works at the hospital.
å hete — to be calledheterHan heter Lars. — His name is Lars.
å lese — to readleserVi leser en bok. — We are reading a book.
å spise — to eatspiserDe spiser middag. — They are eating dinner.
å drikke — to drinkdrikkerHan drikker kaffe. — He is drinking coffee.
å gå — to walk/gogårJeg går til skolen. — I am walking to school.

Personal pronouns

PronounExample with "snakke"
jeg — IJeg snakker norsk. — I speak Norwegian.
du — youDu snakker norsk. — You speak Norwegian.
han/hun — he/sheHan snakker norsk. — He speaks Norwegian.
vi — weVi snakker norsk. — We speak Norwegian.
dere — you (pl.)Dere snakker norsk. — You all speak Norwegian.
de — theyDe snakker norsk. — They speak Norwegian.

Exceptions: være and ha

å være → er and å ha → har are the only irregular verbs in the present tense — much simpler than English!

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