StudyNorwegian•Ko-fiGrammar / Your Norwegian journey
A1Everyday language

Prepositions of place and direction

Describe a location and distinguish it from a destination.

Bokmål · nb-NO
GRAMMATIKK · BOKMÅL

Prepositions of place and direction

Prepositions show location or direction. In simple examples, i means inside, på on a surface, til towards a destination and hos at someone’s place. Many location expressions are fixed and should be learned in context.

The rule, step by step

  1. Ask whether you are describing a location or a destination: Jeg er på skolen versus Jeg går til skolen.
  2. For clear physical examples, use i veska for inside, på bordet for a surface, and hos Sara for a person’s place.
  3. Do not translate prepositions word for word from Arabic or English. Learn expressions such as i Oslo and på skolen.

Sentence pattern

i huset · på bordet · til skolen · hos legen

Compare forms and usage
BokmålMeaning or use
i veskain the bag
på bordeton the table
til butikkento the shop
hos Saraat Sara’s place

Everyday examples

Example 1

Nøklene ligger på bordet.

The keys are on the table.

Example 2

Jeg går til skolen.

I am going to school.

Example 3

Hun er hos legen.

She is at the doctor’s.

Example 4

Telefonen ligger i veska.

The phone is in the bag.

A common error or a difference in meaning

Form to review

Nøklene ligger til bordet.

Correct form for the intended meaning

Nøklene ligger på bordet.

The keys are located on a surface, so use på, not the direction word til.

Put the rule into practice

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Personal review progress on this device. It does not complete a reading lesson or award XP.

VELG

Choose the form that fits the rule and meaning explained in this lesson.

FYLL INN

Complete the gap using the appropriate form of the given word.

Given word: på

Nøklene ligger _____ bordet.

SETT I REKKEFØLGE

Rebuild the example, starting with “Nøklene”: The keys are on the table.

…

Continue with the same subject

Imperatives and polite requests A1Time: i, om and for … siden A2

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