Unnskyld!
This is also the most common way of apologising or saying sorry, such as when you bump into someone or spill your coffee in someone’s lap. Occasionally, you may hear an excuse that sounds a lot like “Omfladls!”. This is a somewhat truncated version of Om forlatelse! (I beg your pardon!) and while it used to be very common, it may now be about to become obsolete.
Beklager!
This can be used in the same way as Unnskyld!, and may be very slightly more formal. When you apologise for your actions or attitudes, Beklager is very common: Beklager at jeg er sen! I’m sorry I’m late! Beklager at jeg glemte å ringe deg. Sorry I forgot to call you. When someone has accidentally nudged you or spilt coffee on you, the answers are the same, regardless of whether they say Unnskyld, Beklager or Om forlatelse. Common responses are: Det er i orden. Det er ok. Det går bra/fint.
That’s all right. That’s ok. That’s fine.
1.5 Vær så god! The literal translation of this phrase is Be so good, which makes very little sense given how it is used. This is a phrase that is used whenever one gives something to someone. It can mean both You’re welcome and Here you go. Her er vekslepengene. Vær så god! Here’s your change. You’re welcome! Vær så god, te med melk og sukker! Here you go, tea with milk and sugar! Vær så god, her er en grammatikk! Here you go, here’s a grammar book! Not only that, but it can also be used as an invitation: Vær så god? Vær så god, neste! Vær så god og sitt her!
What can I do for you? Next, please! Please, do sit down!
A natural response to Vær så god is Takk – with variations, as you have seen in chapter 1.1. Note that, unlike Vær så snill, Vær så god is a fixed phrase, without inflections – it retains its shape, whatever the context. For example, if you are talking to several people, you still say Vær så god.
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