StudyNorwegian•Grammar / Your Norwegian journey
A1Verbs and tenses

Present tense

Describe habits and what is happening now.

Bokmål · nb-NO
GRAMMATIKK · BOKMÅL

Present tense

Most present-tense verbs end in -r. The form stays the same with every subject: jeg spiser, vi spiser.

The rule, step by step

  1. Start with the infinitive å lese and learn its present form leser.
  2. The verb does not change with the subject: jeg leser, hun leser, vi leser.
  3. Common irregular forms include er and har. Norwegian does not require a separate present progressive form.

Sentence pattern

jeg / du / vi + leser

Compare forms and usage
BokmålMeaning or use
å lese → leserread
å jobbe → jobberwork
å være → erbe
å ha → harhave

Everyday examples

Example 1

Jeg leser en bok.

I am reading a book.

Example 2

Vi leser norsk hver dag.

We read Norwegian every day.

Example 3

Hun jobber på et bibliotek.

She works at a library.

A common error or a difference in meaning

Form to review

Vi lese norsk.

Correct form for the intended meaning

Vi leser norsk.

The plural subject vi still takes leser, not the infinitive lese.

Put the rule into practice

0/3

Personal review progress on this device. It does not complete a reading lesson or award XP.

VELG

Choose the form that fits the rule and meaning explained in this lesson.

FYLL INN

Complete the gap using the appropriate form of the given word.

Given word: lese

Han _____ norsk hver kveld.

SETT I REKKEFØLGE

Rebuild the example, starting with “Jeg”: I am reading a book.

…

Continue with the same subject

Past tense A2Plans with skal A2Irregular past tense A2Passive voice B2

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