What is business Norwegian?
Business Norwegian (in Norwegian: forretningsnorsk or norsk for arbeidslivet) is Norwegian adapted to professional situations. It covers the language you need to work in a Norwegian company:
- Meetings and discussions with Norwegian colleagues
- Emails and written communication at work
- Presentations and reports
- Phone calls and customer contact
- Negotiations and contract meetings
Business Norwegian is a use case, not a separate language. The grammar is the same one you learn in any Norwegian course. What changes is the register, the fixed phrases and the vocabulary of your field, which is why a general course leaves most professionals stuck in meetings.
Many Norwegian employers prefer candidates who try to speak Norwegian, even at a low level, over those who only speak English. Effort signals that you want to be part of the workplace, and Norwegian colleagues switch back to Norwegian the moment you can follow.
Who needs business Norwegian?
Business Norwegian is for anyone working in Norway who does not yet communicate freely in Norwegian at work. Typical learners are:
- Expats and internationals in Norwegian companies who want to take part in meetings instead of waiting for the English summary
- Engineers, nurses, tradespeople and other specialists who need the vocabulary of their own field
- Employees aiming for promotion, where leading a team or handling clients requires stronger Norwegian
- Newcomers to Norway with basic Norwegian (A1 to A2) but no workplace vocabulary
- Companies that want language training for international staff, invoiced to the employer
What you learn in a business Norwegian course
The course starts from your working day. These are the most common areas:
Emails and messages
Write professional emails, short internal messages and formal requests in correct Norwegian.
Meetings and discussions
Take the floor, ask questions, present an idea and disagree politely in Norwegian.
Calls and video meetings
Understand and be understood when you cannot read body language or lips.
Presentations
Present results, projects and proposals clearly, with the linking words Norwegians expect.
Industry vocabulary
The words of your own field: construction, health, IT, logistics, finance or anything else.
Norwegian work culture
Flat hierarchy, directness, first-name culture and the Law of Jante, explained practically.
Business Norwegian phrases you can use tomorrow
These are the phrases that get you into the conversation fastest.
In meetings
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| Kan jeg få ordet? | Can I say something? |
| Jeg er enig / uenig i det. | I agree / disagree with that. |
| Hva mener du med det? | What do you mean by that? |
| Kan du oppsummere? | Can you summarise? |
| Jeg kommer tilbake til deg med svar. | I will get back to you with an answer. |
| La oss ta det videre i en egen samtale. | Let us take that in a separate conversation. |
In emails
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| Hei [navn], / Kjære [navn], | Hi [name], / Dear [name], |
| Jeg skriver i forbindelse med… | I am writing regarding… |
| Vennligst se vedlagt… | Please find attached… |
| Ikke nøl med å ta kontakt. | Do not hesitate to get in touch. |
| Med vennlig hilsen, | Kind regards, |
| Ha en fin dag! | Have a nice day! |
On the phone
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| [Navn] her. / Dette er [navn]. | [Name] speaking. / This is [name]. |
| Kan du gjenta det litt saktere? | Can you repeat that a bit more slowly? |
| Jeg hørte ikke helt. Kan du si det igjen? | I did not quite catch that. Can you say it again? |
| Kan jeg ringe deg tilbake? | Can I call you back? |
| Jeg sender deg en e-post med detaljene. | I will send you an email with the details. |
Business Norwegian by level: A1 to B2
You do not need to be fluent to start. From A1 you can already train the Norwegian your job requires.
| Level | What you can learn |
|---|---|
| A1 – Beginner | Introduce yourself at work, greet colleagues, follow simple instructions and short messages |
| A2 – Elementary | Simple work conversations, short emails, understanding tasks and appointments |
| B1 – Intermediate | Take part in meetings, present simple ideas, write professional emails and reports |
| B2 – Upper intermediate | Lead meetings, negotiate, give presentations, write complex documents and proposals |
The most common mistake is waiting to speak Norwegian at work until it feels comfortable. Comfort comes from speaking. A private lesson gives you a place to make the mistakes first, instead of making them in front of your team.
Learn business Norwegian with Monika
Monika has taught internationals and expats Norwegian for working life since 2017. Every course is built around your industry, your level and your schedule, with materials written for you.
You only choose the package size. The rest is planned with you in the first lesson.
See packages and sign up → 45-minute lessons · One-on-one online · No long-term commitmentHow long does it take to learn business Norwegian?
It depends on your starting point, but the numbers are more predictable than most people expect:
- 10 to 15 lessons: clear progress in a specific area, for example emails or meeting phrases, if you also practise at work.
- 100 to 200 hours in total: the usual range from zero to an independent level (B1), where you can hold a work conversation without switching to English.
- From lesson one: you can use fixed phrases at work immediately, long before you reach B1.
Progress is faster when the material is tied to your own job, because you repeat the same vocabulary every day at work rather than only in class.
How the lessons work
All lessons are 45 minutes, one-on-one and online, so you can take them from home, from the office or from anywhere in Norway. You choose the package size, and the content is planned with your teacher in the first lesson.
You can start with a single lesson before committing to a package, and companies can pay by invoice. Send your invoice details and the package size to info@norskling.no. Current packages and prices are listed on the sign-up page.
5 ways to learn business Norwegian faster
- Switch to Norwegian internally. Write your internal Teams messages in Norwegian, even when English would be quicker. It forces you to use words you have not practised yet.
- Learn phrases, not single words. Fixed phrases carry you further than conjugation tables. "Jeg kommer tilbake til det" is worth more than ten verbs.
- Ask for corrections. Have a Norwegian colleague read an important email before you send it. Most people are happy to help, and corrections stick.
- Listen actively in meetings. Note the words and phrases you hear, then check them afterwards. The meeting room is your best classroom.
- Take private lessons. One hour a week with a teacher who knows your job beats months of app-based self-study, because the feedback is immediate and specific.
Everything at Norskling is built for one learner
Every course is individual: one teacher, one plan and materials matched to your industry, your level and your goal. You choose the package size, the rest is shaped around you.
See packages and prices →Frequently asked questions about business Norwegian
What is the difference between business Norwegian and general Norwegian?
General Norwegian covers everyday life: shopping, travel, family and free time. Business Norwegian covers working life: meetings, emails, presentations and the vocabulary of your industry. The grammar is identical, the register and vocabulary are not. In a private course you can combine both in the same lessons.
What level do I need to start a business Norwegian course?
You can start at A1. The lower your level, the more the course needs to be tailored to you, which is exactly why one-on-one lessons work well at the beginning. From A2 and up, most of the lesson can be built directly on situations from your own workplace.
How much does a business Norwegian course cost?
Norskling sells lessons in packages, and the price per lesson drops as the package grows. You can also buy a single lesson first to see whether it fits. Current packages and prices are listed on the sign-up page, and the terms are the same for every learner.
Can my employer pay for the course?
Yes. Many Norwegian employers cover language training for international staff, either from a competence budget or as part of onboarding. Send your invoice details and the package size to info@norskling.no and Norskling will invoice the company directly.
Are the lessons online or in person?
All lessons are online and one-on-one, which means you can take them from home, from the office or from anywhere in Norway. Each lesson lasts 45 minutes, and you book the times that fit your working week.
Do I need business Norwegian if my company language is English?
Formal meetings may run in English, but the corridor conversations, internal chats, lunch and the decisions that start there usually happen in Norwegian. Norwegian is also what most employers look for when it comes to promotion, permanent contracts and roles with client contact.
How long does it take to learn business Norwegian?
Most learners see clear progress within 10 to 15 lessons when they also practise at work. Reaching an independent level (B1) from zero usually takes 100 to 200 hours in total, but you can start using business phrases at work from the very first lesson.
Take the first lesson this week
Choose the package that fits, and Monika builds the course around your job and your level. No long-term commitment, and you can start with a single lesson.
See packages and sign up → 45-minute lessons · One-on-one online · Materials made for you