Unsure when to use tro, synes, or tenke in Norwegian? These verbs all relate to thinking but have distinct meanings. Master the differences to help you sound more natural and confident in Norwegian conversations.
Learning Norwegian can be a fascinating journey, but certain words often trip up learners—especially when expressing thoughts and opinions.
Norwegian has multiple verbs that translate to “think” or “believe” in English, but they each carry distinct meanings and nuances. Choosing the right word at the right time is key to sounding natural and confident while you’re learning Norwegian.
While some distinctions are clear-cut, others depend on context and subtle differences in meaning. Mastering these variations will help you express yourself more precisely and engage in more natural conversations.
This article will break down the differences between tenke, tro, and synes to help you use them correctly, before introducing mene and anta.
Before we get started: Check out our language learning partners NorwegianClass101 and The Mystery of Nils (affiliate links) for a head-start on learning Norwegian online.
Tenke: To Think (Process of Thinking)
The verb å tenke is used when referring to the act of thinking itself, reflecting, or considering something. Unlike tro and synes, it does not express an opinion or belief but rather the mental process of forming thoughts.
Examples:
- Jeg tenker på deg. (I am thinking about you.)
- Hva tenker du om dette? (What are your thoughts on this?)
- Jeg må tenke litt før jeg svarer. (I need to think a little before I answer.)
If you are discussing the act of considering or reflecting on something, tenke is the appropriate choice.
Tro: To Believe (in Something Uncertain)
The verb tro is used when expressing a belief about something uncertain or something you do not have direct knowledge of.
It often conveys the idea of “having faith that” something is true, rather than knowing it for sure. This makes tro useful in discussions of faith, predictions, or assumptions based on incomplete information.
Examples:
- Jeg tror det blir sol i morgen. (I think it will be sunny tomorrow.)
- Jeg tror på Gud. (I believe in God.)
- Jeg tror han kommer klokka åtte. (I think he will arrive at eight.)
A key feature of tro is that it expresses uncertainty or a guess rather than a personal opinion based on experience. If you could rephrase it as “I have faith that…” or “I believe that…” in English, tro is likely the right choice.
Synes: Personal Opinion Based on Experience
The verb å synes is used when expressing a personal opinion about something that you have directly observed or experienced. It is subjective and often used when giving an evaluation or a preference.
Examples:
- Jeg synes denne filmen er bra. (I think this movie is good.)
- Jeg synes det er vanskelig å lære norsk. (I think learning Norwegian is difficult.)
- Jeg synes du ser fin ut i den jakken. (I think you look nice in that jacket.)
A useful trick: If you can replace “I think” with “in my opinion” in English, synes is probably the correct choice.
Introducing ‘mene' and ‘anta'
While tro, synes, and tenke cover most thinking and belief-related contexts, mene and anta are also useful, although less commonly used in daily speech.
Mene is used when expressing a strong or reasoned opinion, often in discussions or debates. For example, Jeg mener at vi burde forby plastposer (I think we should ban plastic bags.)
Anta is used when making an assumption based on logic or evidence, such as Jeg antar at bussen er forsinket (I assume the bus is delayed.)
Before we get started: Check out our language learning partners NorwegianClass101 and The Mystery of Nils (affiliate links) for a head-start on learning Norwegian online.
How to Think in Norwegian (!)
Understanding the nuances of these Norwegian verbs will help you express your thoughts more accurately. If you're ever in doubt, ask yourself:
- Am I making a guess, unsure about something, or expressing faith? Use tro.
- Am I giving a personal opinion based on experience? Use synes.
- Am I discussing the process of thinking? Use tenke.
- Am I stating a strong opinion? Use mene.
- Am I making a logical assumption? Use anta.
With practice, these distinctions will become second nature, making your Norwegian sound much more natural!
