Norwegian, a North Germanic language, is primarily spoken in Norway where it serves as the official language. As the global business environment becomes increasingly interconnected, learning Norwegian could be a strategic asset for professionals engaging with Norwegian companies or considering expanding their business to Norway. This article provides a comprehensive guide to essential Norwegian phrases that business professionals might find useful in their communications.

Greetings and Introductions

When engaging in business, the first impression is crucial. Being able to greet and introduce yourself in Norwegian can set a positive tone for the conversation.

Good morning: “God morgen.”
Good afternoon: “God ettermiddag.”
Good evening: “God kveld.”

Introducing yourself is just as straightforward:
My name is [Your Name]: “Mitt navn er [Your Name].”
I am pleased to meet you: “Hyggelig å møte deg.”

Setting Up Meetings

Scheduling meetings is a fundamental aspect of business. Here are some phrases that might help you arrange meetings or change schedules.

Can we schedule a meeting? “Kan vi planlegge et møte?”
Is this time convenient for you? “Passer dette tidspunktet for deg?”
I would like to reschedule our meeting: “Jeg vil gjerne utsette møtet vårt.”

If you need to specify days or times, you might use:
Tomorrow at 3 PM: “I morgen klokken 15.”
Monday next week: “Neste uke mandag.”

During the Meeting

Once the meeting starts, it is important to know some phrases to help facilitate discussion and express your ideas or concerns.

Let’s start the meeting: “La oss starte møtet.”
I agree: “Jeg er enig.”
I disagree: “Jeg er uenig.”
Could you please repeat that? “Kan du gjenta det, vær så snill?”

To show appreciation for someone’s input:
Thank you for your contribution: “Takk for ditt bidrag.”

Discussing Business Deals

Negotiating deals or discussing terms can be challenging without the right phrases.

We are interested in this proposal: “Vi er interessert i dette forslaget.”
What is the cost of the service? “Hva koster tjenesten?”
We would like to negotiate the terms: “Vi vil gjerne forhandle om vilkårene.”

When concluding deals:
We have a deal: “Vi har en avtale.”
We look forward to working with you: “Vi ser frem til å jobbe med deg.”

Networking

Building a network is essential in business. Here are some phrases that could be used at networking events or in casual business gatherings.

What is your professional background? “Hva er din profesjonelle bakgrunn?”
I would like to introduce you to [Name]: “Jeg vil gjerne introdusere deg for [Name].”
Can I have your business card? “Kan jeg få visittkortet ditt?”

When you want to follow up:
Can we meet for coffee next week? “Kan vi møtes for en kaffe neste uke?”

Handling Difficult Situations

Not all business interactions go smoothly. Here are some phrases that might help in less than ideal circumstances.

We need to address some issues: “Vi må ta opp noen problemer.”
There seems to be a misunderstanding: “Det ser ut til å være en misforståelse.”
How can we resolve this problem? “Hvordan kan vi løse dette problemet?”

Concluding Business Encounters

Ending a conversation or meeting appropriately is as important as starting it.

Thank you for your time: “Takk for tiden din.”
I appreciate your help: “Jeg setter pris på hjelpen din.”
We will be in touch soon: “Vi tar kontakt snart.”

By learning these essential Norwegian phrases, business professionals can navigate through various business situations more effectively. Not only does it show respect for the Norwegian culture, but it also sets a foundation for strong, lasting business relationships. Whether it’s a formal meeting, a networking event, or handling tough negotiations, these phrases will help you communicate with confidence and professionalism.