1.1 The multiple uses of takk There's one area where Norwegians are more than usually polite: when it comes to thanking others. The word takk, or modifications of it, is used in a huge variety of situations: as a form of greeting, a form of saying goodbye, a way of concluding a meal – and of course as a way of thanking someone for something! Norwegians thank each other a lot, and it's quite hard to thank someone too much in Norwegian! Below are some of the ways in which takk is used.
Thanks for services provided
Takk is, naturally, used in contexts where you thank others, for services, praise, or gifts. There are many ways of saying a simple thank you. The most basic one is takk. Vær så god! Takk.
There you go! Thanks.
On its own, however, takk may seem a bit curt, so it is common to use longer phrases: Takk skal du ha. Takk for det.
(Lit.: Thanks shall you have.) (Lit.: Thanks for that.)
Tusen takk (a thousand thanks) involves a degree of friendly enthusiasm, and is the most polite option. This expression may be slightly more common among women. Mange takk (many thanks) is slightly formal, bordering on old-fashioned. The same holds true of hjertelig takk (heartily thanks) which many people would consider obsolete. A handy phrase with multiple uses is: Takk for hjelpen.
Thank you for your help.
This phrase can be used whenever someone has helped you, regardless of whether or not it is their job to do so. When you’ve been given information from a clerk, when a co-worker has helped you with a task, when you’ve asked for directions, when a friend has helped you move – all are situations where this phrase would be appropriate. A common answer is Bare hyggelig, which translates directly as Just nice (to help), but is equivalent to No problem. Slightly more formal is the response Ingen årsak, which literally means No reason, presumably an abbreviated form of a phrase insisting that thanks are unnecessary. You can also expand your thanks into a whole sentence, which will involve the use of the word at (that): Takk for at … Takk for at du kunne ta i mot oss. Takk for at dere ventet på meg.
Thank you for … Thank you for being able to see us. Thank you for waiting for me.
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