Learn Norwegian
Norwegian Learning
Norwegian tutor Home

Placement of "Ikke" in Norwegian - Part 1

One of the problems I often get question about is the plaecement of the adverb "ikke" (meaning not).
There are many rules concerning this. I will therefore make more than one post about it.
Today I will go through the most basic rules. Even if you will not remember all rules, it is a good idea to try to master the placement.
Placing "ikke" wrongly will be very easily spottable for a native Norwegian.

Rule #1 - Ikke is placed after the verb in reguler phrases

One of the first things taught to foreigners learning Norwegian is that "ikke" is placed after the verb in complete phrases. For example:
Jeg spiser (I'm eating) -> Jeg spiser ikke (I'm not eating)
Jeg kommer fra Norge (I come from Norway) -> Jeg kommer ikke fra Norge (I'm not coming from Norway)


Rule #2 - If object is a pronoun, then ikke often comes after it

This rule is more related to the pronoun than the adverb "ikke". I do not mention it here because you should concern yourself too much with it.
I'm showing you the below examples - so you don't get confused when seeing it after learning about rule #1.

For example - Here I use "Erik" as object and then changes it to "ham" (him):
Jeg liker ikke Erik (I don't like Erik) - Here "ikke" has to be in front of the name.
Jeg liker ham ikke (I don't like him) - Here it is most common to use "ikke" after the pronoun, but you can also put it before.

Here the objects I use are "maten" (the food) and den (it):
Jeg spiser ikke maten (I don't eat the food) - Here "ikke" has to be in front of the object.
Jeg spiser den ikke (I don't eat it) - Here it is most common to use "ikke" after the pronoun, but you can also put it before.


Part 2 - Placement of "ikke" in Norwegian

All topics
Learn Norwegian free podcast.