Why Norway Has Two Norwegians—And How to Use Them
Norway is full of surprises, and here’s a big one: it has two official written languages! They’re called Bokmål and Nynorsk. Both are used in schools, books, and signs across the country. But don’t worry—you don’t have to learn both right away.
Bokmål vs. Nynorsk
Bokmål is the most common form of Norwegian, especially in big cities like Oslo and Bergen. Nynorsk, which means “New Norwegian,” is more often used in western parts of Norway and in rural areas. The words look a bit different, but they sound very similar when spoken!
How to Tell Them Apart
You might see:
- “I am a child”
- In Bokmål: Jeg er et barn.
- In Nynorsk: Eg er eit barn.
Both mean the same thing and are correct.
Fun Activities to Explore Both
Language Detective Game
Print out a few sentences in both Bokmål and Nynorsk. Let kids play detective to spot the differences!
Say It Your Way!
Pick a simple phrase like “Hello, my name is…” and write or say it in both versions. Kids can create fun posters showing each version.
With Dinolingo, kids ages 2–14 can learn Norwegian through games, videos, songs, and printable activities. The platform mostly uses Bokmål but introduces kids to real-life language variety through playful content. Whether you’re in the city or the countryside, you’ll hear both forms of Norwegian in action.
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