Meet all 29 Norwegian letters
Norwegian uses the Latin script with these extra stars at the end of the alphabet: Æ, Ø, Å. The full order is 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. Most everyday words use the same core letters you know, while C, Q, W, X, and Z appear mainly in names and loanwords.
Think of Æ, Ø, and Å as full letters, not accents. They change meaning, spelling, and sorting in dictionaries. If you can spot and say these three correctly, reading becomes much easier. For a beginner, it is enough to aim for a clear, simple sound and be consistent.
- Vowels: A E I O U Y plus Æ Ø Å
- Consonants: the rest, with J pronounced like English Y
- C Q W X Z: common in loanwords and names
- Alphabet order ends with Æ Ø Å
- Letter names differ from English, but focus on word sounds first
Vowels and the big three: Æ, Ø, Å
Norwegian vowels can be short or long. A quick rule for beginners: a double consonant after a vowel usually makes it short. Compare tak and takk, gul and gull, hun and hunn. Practise slowly, keeping the long vowel steady and the short vowel brief.
Æ sounds a bit like the a in cat, Ø is similar to the vowel in bird for many English speakers, and Å is like aw in law. Try these common words: bær berries with Æ, søt sweet with Ø, båt boat with Å. Do not worry about perfection; aim for a consistent target so native listeners recognize the word.
- A: often like father when long
- E: between bed and they depending on length
- I: like machine
- O: round like note when long
- U: close to the French u, try rounding your lips
- Y: like German ü, smile a little while rounding
- Æ: cat but clearer
- Ø: bird like sound with rounded lips
- Å: aw in law, slightly darker
Tricky consonants and letter pairs
Many consonants feel friendly to English speakers, but a few pairs need practice. J sounds like English Y in yes. G is hard in god and soft before I and J in many words. R can be tapped or rolled depending on region; keep it light at A1 and you will be fine.
Some letter groups map to a single sound. Kj is often a soft, hissy sound near the front of the mouth. Sj and skj are a sh like sound. Sk before I or Y also turns into a sh like sound, as in ski. Ng is like the final sound in sing. Hv often sounds simply like v, and the h in hj and gj is silent.
- J ≈ Y: ja yes, jente girl
- G soft before I or J: gi to give
- HV, HJ, GJ: silent H in hvem who, hjul wheel, gjerne gladly
- KJ: soft h plus y like sound
- SJ, SKJ, SK before I Y: sh like sound in ski
- NG: sing sound, as in sang song
- RS: can sound like sh in many accents
Spelling and pronunciation basics for beginners
A few simple patterns will help you read almost any beginner text. Most words have stress on the first syllable. Double consonants usually shorten the vowel before them. Æ, Ø, and Å are not optional decorations; they change meaning, so always type them.
In dictionaries and word lists, remember that letters sort with Æ Ø Å at the end. When you meet new words, say them slowly, mark the stress, and clap or tap the syllables. Small habits like this pay off in clear speech.
- Stress usually on the first syllable
- Double consonant = short vowel
- Single consonant after a vowel often means a longer vowel
- Always write Æ Ø Å to avoid changing meaning
- Alphabet order ends with Æ Ø Å in lists and indexes
A 10 minutes a day plan you can do online
You can learn the alphabet basics with short, focused sessions. Keep it free and simple: a timer, a handful of words, and a quick listen and repeat routine. Mix reading, writing, and speaking so your brain connects all skills.
- Minute 1–2: Scan all 29 letters aloud, ending with Æ Ø Å
- Minute 3–5: Read 6 to 8 words with tricky vowels bær, søt, båt and consonant pairs ski, hvem, sang
- Minute 6–7: Copy those words by hand to lock in spelling
- Minute 8–9: Record yourself, compare to an online audio sample, adjust one sound
- Minute 10: Make two flashcards per day; by week’s end you have a small deck
FAQ
- How many letters are in the Norwegian alphabet?
- There are 29 letters. After Z, Norwegian adds Æ, Ø, and Å, and these are full letters that change meaning and sorting.
- Are Æ, Ø, and Å really different letters or just accents?
- They are different letters. Always write them, because leaving them out can create new words or confusion for listeners and readers.
- Can I learn the alphabet online for free as a beginner?
- Yes. Use free online audio, a printable PDF alphabet chart, and short daily drills. Ten focused minutes a day is enough to build steady progress.
- Do all Norwegians roll the R sound?
- R varies by region. Many speakers use a light tap or a softer sound. At A1–A2, keep R gentle and consistent rather than strong.
- Is the alphabet the same in Bokmål and Nynorsk?
- Yes. Both standards use the same 29 letters. You might see different word choices, but the alphabet and core sound system stay the same.