——–|———|—————|
| jul | Christmas | yool |
| julaften | Christmas Eve | YOOL-af-ten |
| juledag | Christmas Day | YOOL-eh-dahg |
| andre juledag | Boxing Day (Dec 26) | AN-dreh YOOL-eh-dahg |
| nyttårsaften | New Year’s Eve | NEET-ors-af-ten |
| godt nyttår | Happy New Year | got NEET-or |
| god jul | Merry Christmas | goo yool |
| juletid | Christmas time | YOOL-eh-teed |
Christmas Greetings
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| God jul! | Merry Christmas! |
| God jul og godt nyttår! | Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! |
| Gledelig jul! | Joyful Christmas! |
| Ha en fin jul! | Have a nice Christmas! |
| Riktig god jul! | Really Merry Christmas! |
The Julenisse (Norwegian Santa)
| Norwegian | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| julenisse | Norwegian Santa/Christmas gnome | YOOL-eh-nis-seh |
| nisse | gnome/elf | NIS-seh |
| reinsdyr | reindeer | RAINS-deer |
| slede | sleigh | SLEH-deh |
| sekk | sack | sek |
| skjegg | beard | sheg |
| rød lue | red hat | rur LOO-eh |
About the Julenisse
The Norwegian julenisse is different from American Santa:
- Originated as a farm gnome protecting the homestead
- Lives in the barn, not the North Pole
- Expects a bowl of risgrøt (rice porridge) on Christmas Eve
- Brings gifts on Christmas Eve, not Christmas morning
Decorations (Julepynt)
| Norwegian | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| juletre | Christmas tree | YOOL-eh-treh |
| julestjerne | Christmas star | YOOL-eh-share-neh |
| julekule | Christmas ornament | YOOL-eh-koo-leh |
| lenke | chain/garland | LENK-eh |
| lys | light/candle | lees |
| adventsstake | Advent candle holder | ad-VENTS-stah-keh |
| julekrybbe | nativity scene | YOOL-eh-kryb-beh |
| pepperkakehus | gingerbread house | PEP-per-kah-keh-hoos |
| julekrans | Christmas wreath | YOOL-eh-krahns |
Norwegian Christmas Tree
- Called juletre or juletreet (the Christmas tree)
- Traditionally a real gran (spruce) tree
- Decorated on lille julaften (Dec 23rd – “Little Christmas Eve”)
- Families often dance around the tree singing carols
Traditional Christmas Food (Julemat)
Main Dishes
| Norwegian | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| pinnekjøtt | dried lamb ribs | Western Norway tradition |
| ribbe | pork ribs | Eastern Norway tradition |
| lutefisk | lye-treated fish | Traditional, acquired taste |
| medisterkaker | pork patties | Common side dish |
| kjøttkaker | meatballs | Traditional |
| svinekjøtt | pork | Most popular Christmas meat |
| kalkun | turkey | Modern addition |
Side Dishes
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| surkål | sauerkraut |
| rødkål | red cabbage |
| poteter | potatoes |
| tyttebær | lingonberries |
| saus | gravy |
| medisterpølse | pork sausage |
Desserts & Sweets
| Norwegian | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| risgrøt | rice porridge | REES-grurt |
| riskrem | rice cream dessert | REES-krem |
| multekrem | cloudberry cream | MOOL-teh-krem |
| pepperkaker | gingerbread cookies | PEP-per-kah-ker |
| julekaker | Christmas cookies | YOOL-eh-kah-ker |
| krumkaker | waffle cookies | KROOM-kah-ker |
| fattigmann | “poor man” cookies | FAT-tee-man |
| sandkaker | sand tarts | SAN-kah-ker |
| smultringer | doughnuts | SMOOLT-ring-er |
| marsipan | marzipan | mar-see-PAN |
The Hidden Almond Tradition
A special tradition with risgrøt (rice porridge):
- One whole almond is hidden in the porridge
- Whoever finds it wins a prize (usually a marsipangris – marzipan pig)
- People hide their almond until everyone finishes to build suspense!
Drinks
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| gløgg | mulled wine |
| julebrus | Christmas soda (sweet, red) |
| akevitt | aquavit (traditional spirit) |
| juleøl | Christmas beer |
| kaffe | coffee |
Christmas Activities
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| pynte juletreet | decorate the Christmas tree |
| bake pepperkaker | bake gingerbread |
| synge julesanger | sing Christmas carols |
| gå rundt juletreet | walk around the Christmas tree |
| åpne gaver | open gifts |
| se på juleeventyr | watch Christmas specials |
| gå i kirken | go to church |
| lage julekort | make Christmas cards |
Norwegian Christmas Carols (Julesanger)
| Norwegian Title | English Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Glade jul | Silent Night |
| Deilig er jorden | Fairest Lord Jesus |
| Jeg er så glad hver julekveld | I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve |
| Et barn er født i Betlehem | A Child Is Born in Bethlehem |
| På låven sitter nissen | On the Barn Sits the Gnome |
| Musevisa | The Mouse Song |
| O jul med din glede | O Christmas With Your Joy |
Christmas Timeline in Norway
| Date | Norwegian | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 | Første desember | Advent calendars begin |
| First Sunday of Advent | Første søndag i advent | Light first Advent candle |
| Dec 13 | Luciadagen | St. Lucia Day |
| Dec 23 | Lille julaften | “Little Christmas Eve” – final preparations |
| Dec 24 | Julaften | Main celebration – dinner & gifts |
| Dec 25 | Første juledag | Christmas Day – visiting family |
| Dec 26 | Andre juledag | Second Christmas Day – more visiting |
| Dec 31 | Nyttårsaften | New Year’s Eve |
Christmas Eve (Julaften)
Christmas Eve is the main event in Norway, not Christmas Day!
Typical Schedule:
| Time | Norwegian | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Afternoon | Ettermiddag | Final preparations |
| 5:00 PM | Klokken fem | Church bells ring, Christmas begins |
| 5-6 PM | Julemiddag | Christmas dinner |
| After dinner | Etter maten | Walking around the tree, singing |
| Evening | Kvelden | Opening presents |
Gift-Giving Vocabulary
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| gave | gift |
| gavepapir | wrapping paper |
| sløyfe | ribbon/bow |
| julekort | Christmas card |
| ønskeliste | wish list |
| pakke opp | unwrap |
| overraskelse | surprise |
Gift Phrases
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| Tusen takk for gaven! | Thank you so much for the gift! |
| Dette var akkurat det jeg ønsket meg! | This was exactly what I wished for! |
| Du burde ikke ha det! | You shouldn’t have! |
| Hva ønsker du deg til jul? | What do you want for Christmas? |
Winter & Christmas Weather
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| hvit jul | white Christmas |
| snø | snow |
| snømann | snowman |
| snøflak | snowflake |
| kulde | cold |
| is | ice |
| frost | frost |
The Hope for “Hvit Jul”
Norwegians dream of a hvit jul (white Christmas). The song “Hvit Jul” is very popular:
> “Jeg drømmer om en hvit jul…”
> (I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…)
Norwegian Christmas Traditions
Advent
- Light one candle each Sunday (4 candles total)
- Open one door on the adventskalender each day
- The countdown to Christmas
Lille Julaften (December 23)
- “Little Christmas Eve”
- Decorate the tree
- Final shopping
- Often eat risgrøt
Julebukk (Christmas goat)
- Ancient tradition of going door-to-door
- Singing carols for treats
- Similar to Halloween trick-or-treating
- Making a comeback in some areas
Romjul (December 26-30)
- The quiet days between Christmas and New Year
- Visiting family and friends
- Eating leftovers
- Relaxing at home
Useful Christmas Phrases
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| Jeg gleder meg til jul | I’m looking forward to Christmas |
| Jul er min favorittid | Christmas is my favorite time |
| Vi feirer jul hos bestemor | We celebrate Christmas at grandma’s |
| Hva skal du gjøre i jula? | What are you doing for Christmas? |
| Jula er en tid for familie | Christmas is a time for family |
| Takk for i år! | Thanks for this year! |
Practice Norwegian Christmas Vocabulary
Want to learn more Norwegian? Play NorskKryss – Learn Norwegian vocabulary through crossword puzzles.
Download the App – Practice Norwegian daily and track your progress.
Related: Norwegian Family Words
—
God jul og godt nyttår! (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!)
Practice What You’ve Learned
Test your knowledge of norwegian christmas words with this interactive crossword puzzle:
Can’t see the puzzle? Play on NorskKryss.no