Norwegian Genealogical Word List

This Norwegian Word List contains Norwegian words with their English translations. The words included here are those that you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a Norwegian-English dictionary. (See the "Additional Resources" section below.)

Norwegian is a Germanic language like Swedish, Danish, and Icelandic. There are two official dialects in Norway. Prior to 1915 most Norwegian records are in a language closer to written Danish than to modern Norwegian. You may also want to refer to the Danish Genealogical Word List.

Records published after 1915, such as family and local histories, are in modern Norwegian. Most differences between modern and old Norwegian are simply a matter of spelling. Carefully study the section below on spelling. This will help you find the words in this list.

LANGUAGE CHARACTERISTICS
Variant Forms of Words

In Norwegian, as in English, the forms of some words will vary according to how they are used in a sentence. Who—whose—whom or marry—marries— married are examples of words in English with variant forms. The endings of a word in a document may differ from those in this list. For example:

Alphabetical Order
Written Norwegian has three letters not found in the English alphabet: Æ (æ), Ø (ø), and Å (å). In most record sources prior to 1915, Å (å) is written as Aa (aa) and filed at the beginning of the alphabet. Modern Norwegian dictionaries, indexes, the Locality section of the Family History Library Catalog, and this word list use the following alphabetical order:

a b  c  d  e  f  g  h  i  j  k  l  m  n  o  p  q  r  s  t  u  v  w  x  y  z  æ  ø  å

D through F

 * - | dag | day |- | dagen før | the previous day |- | dagsarbeider | day laborer |- | dal | valley |- | Danmark | Denmark |- | dannekvinde | gentlewoman |- | dannemand | gentleman |- | dansk | Danish |- | dato | date (noun) |- | datter | daughter |- | datterdatter | daughter’s daughter |- | dattersønn | daughter’s son |- | datum (Latin) | date |- | dele | to divide, to share |- | dem | them, they |- | den | the, it, that |- | denne | this |- | der | there |- | deres | their |- | derfor | therefore |- | desember | December |- | det | it, that, the |- | difteri | diphtheria |- | din | your |- | disse | these |- | diverse | various |- | dokument | document |- | domkirke | cathedral |- | dommer | judge |- | dragon | dragoon, light cavalryman |- | dreng | boy |- | drengebarn | male child |- | drepe | kill |- | dronning | queen |- | druknet | drowned |- | dydig | virtuous |- | dø | to die |- | døbt(e) | christening |- | død | dead, death |- | døde | died, death |- | dødfødt | stillborn |- | dødsfall | death |- | døgn | 24-hour period of time |- | døpt | baptized, christened |- | døtre | daughters |- | døv | deaf |- | døvstum | deaf and dumb |- | dåp | baptism |- | dåpsattest | certificate of baptism |- | dåpsdag | day of baptism |- | | |- | | |- | efter | after |- | efterkommer | descendant |- | efterlatte | surviving, survivors |- | efterlevende | surviving |- | eftermiddag | afternoon |- | efternavn | surname, last name |- | egen | own |- | egentlig | actual |- | egteviede | marriage |- | eie, eje | to own |- | eiendom | property, real estate |- | ekte | legitimate, to marry |- | ektefelle | spouse |- | ektemann | husband |- | ektepar | married couple |- | ekteskap | marriage |- | ekteskapelig | marital, conjugal |- | ekteviet | married |- | eldre | older |- | eldst | oldest, eldest |- | elev | student |- | eller | or, or else |- | elleve | eleven |- | ellevte | eleventh |- | elv | river, stream |- | embete | public office |- | embetsmann | public official |- | emigrant | emigrant |- | emigrere | emigrate |- | en, et | a, one |- | enebarn | only child |- | engelsk | English |- | England | England |- | enhver | each |- | enke | widow |- | enkemann | widower |- | enkestand | widowed |- | ennu | yet, still |- | epilepsi | epilepsy |- | er | is, are |- | erhverv | livelihood |- | erkjenne | acknowledge |- | et | a, one |- | etasje | floor, story |- | etc. (Latin) | et cetera, and so on |- | etternavn | surname, last |- | evne | intelligence |- | |- | gammel | old |- | gartner | gardener |- | garver | tanner |- | gate | street |- | gave | gift, endowment |- | geistlig | ecclesiastical |- | geografisk leksikon | gazetteer |- | gift | marriage, married, poison |- | gikt | rheumatism |- | gjeld | debt |- | gjenlevende | survivors |- | gjennom | through |- | gjestgiver | innkeeper |- | gjet, gjeit | goat |- | gjeter | herdsman |- | gjørtler | brazier, brass smith |- | god | good |- | gods | estate |- | godseier | estate owner |- | gratis | free |- | grav | grave |- | graver | gravedigger, sexton |- | gravlund | cemetery |- | gravsted | burial place |- | gren | branch |- | grenader | infantryman |- | grense | boundary, border |- | greve | Count (nobility) |- | grevinne | Countess |- | grunn | ground, reason |- | gruve | mine, pit |- | gruvearbeider | miner |- | grønn | green |- | gudfar | godfather |- | gudmor | godmother |- | gull | gold |- | gulsot | jaundice |- | gulv | floor |- | gutt | boy |- | gå | go, walk |- | gård | farm |- | gårdbruker | farmer |- | gårdeier | farm owner |- | gårsdagens | of yesterday |- | | |- | ha | to have |- | hadde | had |- | halshugget | decapitated |- | halv | half |- | halvbror | half brother |- | halvsøster | half sister |- | ham | him |- | han | he |- | handelsmann | merchant, trader |- | hans | his |- | hanskemaker | glove maker |- | har | has, have |- | hattemaker | hatmaker |- | havn | harbor |- | heller | rather |- | helligdag | holiday |- | hengt seg | hanged himself or herself |- | henne | her |- | her | here |- | Herr | Mr. |- | herred | judicial district |- | Herren | the Lord |- | hest | horse |- | heter | is named |- | historie | history |- | hittebarn | orphan, foundling |- | hjem | home |- | hjemme | at home |- | hjemmedøpt | baptized at home |- | hjemmehørende | residing |- | hjerte | heart |- | hjertefeil | heart disease |- | hjul | wheel |- | hjulmaker | wheelwright |- | holde | hold, stop |- | horeri | adultery |- | hos | with, at |- | hoste | cough |- | hovedliste | census list |- | hun | she |- | hundre(de) | hundred (hundredth) |- | hus | house |- | husar | hussar, cavalryman |- | husbonde | head of household |- | husholderske | housekeeper |- | husmann | cottager, tenant farmer |- | husmor | housewife |- | hustru | wife |- | hva | what |- | hvem | who |- | hver | every |- | hvilken | which |- | hvis | if, whose |- | hvit | white |- | hvor | where |- | hvordan | how |- | hvorfor | why |- | hvorvidt | whether |- | høsten | in the fall |- | høy | tall, high, hay |- | høyre | right (side) |- | håndarbeide | handwork |- | håndtering | occupation |- | håndverk | trade, handicraft |- | | |- | i | in |- | idiot | idiot |- | ifølge | according to |- | igår | yesterday |- | igjen | again |- | i hjel, slå | kill |- | ikke | not |- | ikke enda | not yet |- | ild | fire |- | imellom | between, among |- | imorgen | tomorrow |- | infeksjon | infection |- | ingen | none |- | inn | in |- | inne i | inside |- | innerst | renter, innermost |- | innflyttning | moving in |- | innhold | content |- | innsitter | renter |- | innsjø | lake |- | innvandring | immigration |- | intet | none |- | introduceret | introduced |- | Island | Iceland |- | islandsk | Icelandic |- | | |- | januar | January |- | jeg | I |- | jeger | light infantry soldier, hunter |- | jomfru | damsel, Miss, virgin |- | jordbruk | farming |- | jordet | burial |- | jordmor | midwife |- | jordpåkastelse | ceremony of sprinkling earth on the coffin |- | jul | Christmas |- | juli | July |- | juni | June |- | jurist | lawyer |- | | |- | kallet | named |- | kanskje | maybe, perhaps |- | karet | coach |- | kart | map |- | katolsk | Catholic |- | kavaleri | cavalry |- | kemmer | peddler |- | kikhoste | whooping cough |- | kirke | church |- | kirkebok | parish register |- | kirkegård | cemetery, churchyard |- | kirkeværge | church warden |- | kiste | chest, coffin |- | kjent | known |- | kjønn | sex |- | kjøpe | buy |- | kjøpmann | merchant |- | klokker | sexton, parish clerk, bell ringer, deacon |- | kloster | convent, monastery |- | kokarde | insignia |- | kolikk | colic |- | kommune | municipality, township |- | kone | wife |- | konfirmasjon | confirmation |- | konge | king |- | kongedømme | kingdom |- | kongelig | royal |- | kontor | office |- | kopper | smallpox, copper |- | kort | short, card |- | kort register | card index |- | krampe | convulsions, spasm |- | kreft | cancer |- | krig | war |- | ku | cow |- | kun | only |- | kunngjøre | declare |- | kunnskap | knowledge |- | kusine | cousin (female) |- | kusk | coachman, teamster |- | kveg | cattle |- | kvele | choke |- | kvell | evening |- | kvinne | woman |- | kvinnekjønn | female |- | kyllinger | chickens |- | kår | support received after giving one’s estate to another |- | kårkone | woman who receives kår |- | kårmann | man who receives |- | | |- | la | let, allow |- | lagrettemann | court member |- | land | country |- | landsby | village |- | langfredag | Good Friday |- | laugverge | widow’s guardian or spokesman |- | legd | welfare, military levying district |- | legdslem | welfare recipient |- | leie | hire, rent |- | leier | tenant |- | leilending | leaseholder |- | lejermål | illicit and punishable intercourse |- | lenge | long |- | lensmann | sheriff |- | lese | read |- | leve | live |- | levende | live, living |- | lignende | same, alike, similar |- | lik | corpse, alike |- | likeledes | also, as well |- | lille | small |- | lite (litt) | little |- | liten | little, small |- | liv | life |- | los | pilot (ship) |- | losjerende | boarder, lodger |- | lov | law |- | lovlig | legal |- | lungebetendelse | pneumonia |- | luteraner | Lutheran |- | lysning | post banns |- | lysninger | banns |- | læregutt | apprentice |- | lærer | teacher (male) |- | lærerinne | teacher (female) |- | lærling | apprentice |- | løpenummer | serial number |- | lørdag | Saturday |- | løsaktig | loose or immoral woman |- | løsarbeider | day laborer |- | | |- | magesyke | diarrhea, stomach ailment |- | mai | May |- | maler | painter |- | mandag | Monday |- | mange | many |- | mann | man, husband |- | mannkjønn | male |- | mark | field |- | mars | March |- | matrikkel | land registration |- | matros | sailor |- | med | with |- | medhjelper | assistant, helper |- | medlem | member |- | med videre (Latin) | et cetera, and so on |- | meg | me |- | mellom | middle |- | mellombygning | middle building |- | men | but |- | mer | more, additional |- | meslinger | measles |- | messingsmed | brazier, brass smith |- | mester | master (of a trade) |- | midlertidig | temporarily |- | midnatt | midnight |- | mil | metric mile (ten kilometers) |- | militær | military |- | min | mine (belongs to me) |- | mindre | lesser |- | minearbeider | miner |- | minste | smallest, youngest |- | minutt | minute |- | modig | courageous, brave |- | mor | mother |- | mord | murder |- | morfar | maternal grandfather |- | morgen | morning |- | mormor | maternal grandmother |- | motta | receive |- | murer | mason |- | musiker | musician |- | m.v. (Latin) | See med videre |- | myndig | of age |- | møbelsnekker | furniture maker |- | møller | miller |- | | |- | nabo | neighbor |- | nadverd | Communion, sacrament |- | natt | night |- | navn | name |- | nedbrent | burned down |- | nei | no |- | neste | next, neighbor |- | neste år | next year |- | nevø | nephew |- | ni | nine |- | niende | ninth |- | niese | niece |- | nitten | nineteen |- | nittende | nineteenth |- | nitti | ninety |- | nittiende | ninetieth |- | noen | some, any |- | nord | north |- | november | November |- | nu, nå | now |- | nulevende | living |- | null | zero |- | nummer | number |- | ny | new |- | nyfødt | newborn |- | nylig | lately |- | nyttår | new year |- | nær | near, close |- | næringsvei | livelihood, trade |- | nå, nu | now |- | når | when, if, reach |- | | |- | odel | birthright or allodial ownership |- | ofte | often |- | og | and |- | oktober | October |- | oldebarn | great-grandchild |- | oldefar | great-grandfather |- | oldeforeldre | great-grandparents |- | oldemor | great-grandmother |- | om | if, about |- | omegn | neighboring places |- | omtrent | about, almost, nearly |- | omvendelse | conversion |- | onkel | uncle |- | onsdag | Wednesday |- | opp | up |- | oppe | above, upstairs |- | oppfostre | foster, to rear |- | oppholdsted | residence |- | opptegnelse | record |- | ordbok | dictionary |- | ordfører | mayor |- | oss | us |- | osv. | et cetera, and so on |- | over | over |- | overlevende | survivors |- | overtredelse | transgression |- | | |- | pagina (Latin) | page |- | pallask | sword |- | pantebok | mortgage record |- | parsell | plot of land, allotment |- | parykkmaker | wigmaker |- | penger | money |- | pensjon | pension |- | pensjonist | retired person |- | person | person |- | pest | plague |- | pike (pige) | girl, maid |- | pikebarn | female child |- | pikenavn | maiden name, girl’s name |- | pinse | Pentecost |- | pleiebarn | foster child |- | pleiedatter | foster daughter |- | pleiefar | foster father |- | pleieforeldre | foster parents |- | pleiemor | foster mother |- | pleiesønn | foster son |- | pottemaker | potter |- | preke | preach |- | prest | minister, priest |- | prestegjeld | clerical district |- | prestekontor | parish office |- | prins | prince |- | prinsesse | princess |- | på | on, at, upon |- | påske | Easter |- | | |- | register | index, register |- | regjering | government |- | regning | bill |- | regnskap | account |- | reise | travel |- | religion | religion |- | repslager | rope maker |- | rett | court (noun), correct |- | rettferdig | just, righteous |- | ridder | knight |- | rik | wealthy |- | riktig | correct |- | rundt | around |- | rytter | cavalryman |- | rådmann | councilman |- | | |- | sa | said, stated |- | sabbat | Sabbath |- | sakrament | sacrament |- | salig | deceased, holy, blessed |- | salmaker | saddler |- | samfunn | society |- | samleie | intercourse |- | samme | same |- | samme dag | the same day |- | sammen | together |- | sammesteds | in the same place |- | samtlige | all |- | samtykke | consent |- | sau | sheep |- | seg | oneself |- | seks | six |- | seksten | sixteen |- | sekstende | sixteenth |- | seksti | sixty |- | sekstiende | sixtieth |- | selv | self |- | selveier | owner, freeholder |- | selvmord | suicide |- | senere | later |- | seng | bed |- | sengeliggende | bedridden |- | separeret | separated |- | september | September |- | side | page, side |- | sidehus | side house |- | siden | since, later |- | sin, sitt, sine | his, hers, its |- | sinnsvak | insane, retarded |- | sinnsyk | mentally ill |- | siste | last, latter |- | siste olje | last rites |- | sjette | sixth |- | sju (syv) | seven |- | sjuende (syvende) | seventh |- | sjø | sea, lake |- | sjømann | sailor, seaman |- | skaberak | elaborate horse blanket |- | skal | shall, must |- | skarlagensfeber | scarlet fever |- | skatt | tax |- | skibsfører | ship’s captain |- | skifte | probate |- | skifteprotokoll | probate record book |- | skifteretten | probate court |- | skilsmisse | divorce |- | skilt | divorced |- | skiløper | infantry soldier on skis, skier |- | skjedde | happened |- | skjøte | deed (property) |- | skog | forest |- | skole | school |- | skomaker | shoemaker |- | skredder | tailor |- | skriver | scribe |- | skulle | should |- | slag | strike, blow, stroke |- | slakter | butcher |- | slekt | relatives, family, lineage |- | slektninger | relatives |- | slektsforskning | genealogy |- | slektshistorie | family history, lineage books |- | slektsvåpen | coat of arms |- | slå ihjel | kill |- | smed | smith |- | snart | soon |- | snekker | cabinetmaker, carpenter |- | sogn | parish |- | soldat | soldier |- | sorenskriver | magistrate, probate judge |- | sort | black |- | spebarn | infant, baby |- | spillemann | musician, fiddler |- | stabbur | storehouse on pillars |- | stamtavle | descendancy chart |- | stand | social position |- | stebarn | stepchild |- | stebror | stepbrother |- | sted | place |- | stedatter | stepdaughter |- | stefar | stepfather |- | steinhogger | stonecutter |- | stemor | stepmother |- | stesønn | stepson |- | stilling | status, position, office |- | stor | large |- | straff | punishment |- | straks | right away, immediately |- | stum | mute (can’t speak) |- | summa (Latin) | totals |- | summarisk | statistical, summary |- | svak | weak |- | svakhet | weakness |- | svart | black |- | svenn | journeyman |- | svensk | Swedish |- | Sverige | Sweden |- | svigerdatter | daughter-in-law |- | svigerfar | father-in-law |- | svigerinne | sister-in-law |- | svigermor | mother-in-law |- | svigersønn | son-in-law |- | svoger | brother-in-law |- | svulst | tumor |- | syd | south |- | sydlig | southern |- | syerske | seamstress |- | syk | sick |- | sykdom | disease |- | sypike | seamstress |- | sytten | seventeen |- | syttende | seventeenth |- | sytti | seventy |- | syttiende | seventieth |- | syv (sju) | seven |- | syvende (sjuende) | seventh |- | sølv | silver |- | søndag | Sunday |- | sønn | son |- | sønnedatter | son’s daughter |- | sønnesøn | son’s son |- | sør | south |- | søsken | siblings |- | søster | sister |- | søstersønn | sister’s son |- | så | saw (see), so, if so, sow (seed) |- | sådan | such |- | således | thus, in this or that |- | | |- | tak | roof |- | takk | thank you |- | takksigelse | thanksgiving |- | tall | number, count |- | tambur | drummer (soldier) |- | tante | aunt |- | testamente | last will |- | ti | ten |- | tid | time |- | tidlig | early |- | tidsperiode | period of time |- | tidsskrift | periodical |- | tiende | tenth, tithing |- | tigger | beggar |- | til | to, until, for |- | tillatelse | dispensation, permission |- | time | hour |- | tippoldefar | great-great-grandfather |- | tippoldemor | great-great-grandmother |- | tirsdag | Tuesday |- | tittel | title |- | tjene | serve, work |- | tjeneste | service |- | tjenestedreng | servant, employee, male |- | tjenestepige | servant, employee, female |- | tjue (tyve) | twenty |- | tjueannen | twenty-second |- | tjueen | twenty-one |- | tjuefem | twenty-five |- | tjuefire | twenty-four |- | tjuefjerde | twenty-fourth |- | tjueførste | twenty-first |- | tjuende (tyvende) | twentieth |- | tjueni(ende) | twenty-nine (twenty-ninth) |- | tjueseks | twenty-six |- | tjuesjette | twenty-sixth |- | tjuesju(ende) | twenty-seven(th) |- | tjuetemte | twenty-fifth |- | tjueto | twenty-two |- | tjuetre(dje) | twenty-three (twenty-third) |- | tjueåtte(nde) | twenty-eight (twenty-eighth) |- | to | two |- | tohundre | two hundred |- | tollbetjent | customs officer |- | tolv | twelve |- | tolvte | twelfth |- | torsdag | Thursday |- | tre | three |- | tredevte (trettiende) | thirtieth |- | tredje | third |- | tredve (tretti) | thirty |- | tretten(de) | thirteen (thirteenth) |- | trettien(de) | thirty-one (thirty-first) |- | trettiførste | thirty-first |- | trolovelse | engagement |- | trolovet | engaged |- | trosbekjennelse | creed |- | trossamfunn | religion |- | tuberkulose | consumption, tuberculosis |- | tukthus | prison |- | tusen(de) | thousand(th) |- | tvangsarbeide | hard labor, compulsory labor |- | tvilling | twin |- | tyfus | typhoid fever |- | tysk | German |- | Tyskland | Germany |- | tyv | thief |- | tyve (tjue) | twenty |- | tyvende (tjvende) | twentieth |- | tæring | tuberculosis |- | tømmermann | carpenter, framer, ship’s carpenter |- | tønne | barrel |- | | |- | udøpt | unbaptized |- | uekte | illegitimate |- | ugift | unmarried |- | uke | week |- | ukjent | unknown, foreign |- | ulovlig | illegal |- | ulykke | accident |- | umoralsk | immoral |- | umyndig | under legal age |- | under | under, below |- | underholde | support |- | underskrevne | the undersigned |- | underskrift | signature |- | undertegnet | signed |- | ung | young |- | ungkarl | bachelor |- | unntatt | except |- | uskyldig | innocent |- | ussel | miserable, poor |- | usømmelig | indecent |- | utdrag | extract |- | uten | without |- | utenfor | outside of |- | utfattog | destitute, penniless |- | utflyttning | moving out |- | utføre | perform, do |- | utgi | publish |- | uti | at, in |- | utlagt | named as, alleged |- | utlandet | foreign country |- | utukt | lechery, fornication |- | utvandre | emigrate |- | utvandrer | emigrant |- | utvandring | emigration |- | | |- | vaccinerede | vaccination |- | vaksinert | vaccination, vaccinated |- | vanfør | crippled, disabled |- | vanskapt | deformed, handicapped |- | var | was, were |- | vattersot | dropsy |- | ved | at, by |- | vedkommende | person concerned |- | ved siden av | next to |- | velstand | prosperity |- | venn | friend |- | venstre | left (side) |- | verge | guardian |- | verneplikt | military duty |- | vertshus | inn |- | vest | west |- | vever | weaver |- | vielse | marriage, wedding |- | vielsesattest | marriage certificate |- | viet | married |- | vitne | witness |- | vitnesbyrd | testimony |- | vogn | carriage, wagon, vehicle |- | vognmann | coachman |- | voldta | rape |- | værdig | worthy |- | være | be |- | vår | our |- | våren | in the spring |- | | |- | yngre | younger |- | yngst | youngest |- | yrke | profession |- | | |- | ærbødig | respectful |- | ære | honor |- | ærlig | honest |- | ættegransking | genealogy |- | | |- | øde | desolate, waste |- | ødelegge | destroy |- | ødemark | wasteland, wilderness |- | ønske | wish, desire, want |- | øre | ear |- | øst | east |- | øvre | upper |- | øy | island |- | øye, øie | eye |- | ånd ||spirit |- | åndsvak ||mentally deficient |- | år ||year |- | århundre ||century |- | årlig ||annual, yearly |- | årsak ||cause, reason |- | åsted ||where event took place (place of event) |- | åtte ||eight |- | åttende ||eighth |- | åtti ||eighty |- | åttiede ||eightieth |- | || |- | |}

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
This word list includes only words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For further help, use a Norwegian-English dictionary. Several Norwegian-English dictionaries are available at the Family History Library. These are in the Scandinavian collection. Their call numbers begin with 439.82321. Family History Centers can obtain the following dictionaries on microfilm:

Scavenius, H. Glydendals Ordbøker; Norsk-Engelsk [Gyldendal’s Dictionaries; Norwegian-English]. Oslo, Norway: Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, 1945. (FHL film 1,224,705, item 4).

cavenius, H. Glydendals Ordbøker; Engelsk-Norsk [Glydendal’s Dictionaries; English-Norwegian]. Oslo, Norway: Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, 1945. (FHL film 1,224,705, item 3). Additional dictionaries are listed in the Subject section of the Family History Library Catalog under NORWEGIAN LANGUAGE - DICTIONARIES and in the Locality section under NORWAY - LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES.

KEY WORDS
In order to find and use specific types of Norwegian records, you will need to know some key words in Norwegian. This section lists key genealogical terms in English and the Norwegian words with the same or similar meanings.

For example, in the first column you will find the English word marriage. In the second column you will find Norwegian words with meanings such as marry, marriage, wedding, wedlock, unite, legitimate, joined, and other words used in Norwegian records to indicate marriage.