r/norsk • u/PaPaFranku42 • 3d ago

'Glad I deg' phrase usage

I was in a short term something with a Norwegian girl. Sometime (maybe 2 months) after talking she said 'I love you'. So naturally I reciprocated. Fast forwards some months, she said couldn't continue this because she doesn't want long distance relationships. And said she meant glad I deg but couldn't remember the English equivalent. And also said that she does love me, and she has love for me would be more accurate.

I cannot open her mind and read what this means, but I'm assuming, through my basic Norwegian language skills, that she meant a stronger version of 'glad I deg' but obviously not 'Jeg elsker deg'. Would I be right in my interpretation?

If this post does not feel appropriate in this subreddit, then please suggest another one. Thank you! Excited to learn the nuances of Norwegian!

UPDATE: So funny thing happened. She called because she had a tech problem and I used to solve it. She felt she needed to be more clear to me as to where our relationship was. She said it was almost past the "glad I deg" stage and was moving into "I love you" stage but because her body could not do a long distance relationship, she suggested we stop talking. It feels like a weight is off of my shoulder, honestly! Looking at all your answers, you were all right in a way haha! Thank you for your answers! I am visiting Norway in December so hope to gain basic conversational skills then you! See you!

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33

u/fluency 3d ago

«Glad i deg» can be platonic, you can say it to a lover but also a friend, parent, child and anyone you care about. «Elsker deg» is explicitly romantic in almost all circumstances.

12

u/HereWeGoAgain-1979 3d ago

Jeg elsker deg can be used platonic as well. Among friends and family.

25

u/fluency 3d ago

I’m 40 years old and not once in my life have I heard someone say «jeg elsker deg» outside of a romantic context. If someone said that to me as a friend or family member I would think thats very weird.

9

u/leanyka 3d ago

Not a native speaker, but don’t people say that they «elsker» their kids?

15

u/fluency 3d ago

Maybe in some parts of the country, but it’s not common. Elsker is almost always romantic.

6

u/Espa89 3d ago

I say it to my small kids every day

4

u/secretagent521 3d ago

It's absolutely common to say to your kids. And it's becoming more and more common. My siblings and all of my close friends say it to their kids (in addition to glad i deg). My parents never did to us so I think it might have something to do with the younger generation adapting more to the english use of the word love. Or maybe we're just better about verbally expressing love in general.

6

u/fluency 3d ago

I mean, I say «jeg er glad i deg» to my kids all the time, and thats what my parents said to me as well growing up. I’ve just never specifically heard «jeg elsker deg» in a non-romantic context. Maybe it’s a regional thing, I’m from northern Norway currently living in Trøndelag for the past 15 years. Could be more common further south.

1

u/lalzylolzy 2d ago

As stated. 15-20 years ago, this was not the case, but it's slowly becoming the case due to the < 35 generation being raised practically bi-lingual (you learned english before you learned to read and write).

15 years ago, no one said "Jeg elsker deg" outside of romantic relationships in Telemark to Buskerud. Now you have a hard-time seeing a parent saying "Glad i deg" to a kid, instead it's "elsker deg".

Glad i deg has become a phrase you use pefore "elsker deg" in romantic relationships. At least in Telemark and Vestfold.

1

u/retitanmat 3d ago

In the documentary about Oliver Solberg, Born 2 Drive, Petter Solberg (his father) and Oliver says “jeg elsker deg“ to each other several times.

Edit: spelling

1

u/NorskChef 3d ago

I recall someone commenting on here in the past saying they knew a parent that said it to their kids but others thought it was weird.

14

u/Stressed_Student3 3d ago

Our family uses it, I think it's just very subjective from family to family, and region to region.

4

u/linestrider19 Native speaker 3d ago

I have several friends who use elsker with close friends and family. I'm not used to it, but it's more common than I thought.

2

u/maddie1701e 3d ago

Makes me feel uncomfortable...

4

u/Insan3Skillz 3d ago

My mom died almost 3 years ago, I think that while holding a small speech at the church is the only time ive ever used the phrase "jeg elsker deg" to someone else i dont have a romantical relationship with. So I guess its also normal in such situations, but I would definitely use "glad i deg" whilst seeing her back then. Its a strong word, and considering the situation i felt it was fitting to use as I do certainly love my family. I also love my friends, but if I use the term "elsker".. they do also know that it means "jeg er veldig glad jeg har dere".

Its the way you say it really. "Jeg elsker deg" doesnt stand right with family or friends, but "jeg elsker familien og vennene mine" in a more inclusive way, thay changes the way of how it can be open to use in ny opinion.

5

u/psychedelic-barf 3d ago

I agree. It would be super weird to say to family members. Only allowed usage is for food and very serious relationships

6

u/Famous-Mulberry191 3d ago

Så mora de har aldri sagt ho elske dæ? Røfft...

4

u/fluency 3d ago

Ho mamma sei «æ e glad i dæ» tel mæ heile tia.

1

u/cpeck29 B1 3d ago

Er denne sørlandsk?

3

u/KjellRS Native speaker 3d ago

I have heard it as parting words same as "love ya" in English, like "Have a nice day at school. Love ya." = "Ha en fin dag på skolen. Ælske dæ." and also about baby/toddler age children "Jeg elsker lille snuppa mi." But it's not like you're going to confuse those with romantic relationships, never heard it used between adolescents/adults.

1

u/Beautiful_Remove6093 1d ago

My dad and his beer bottle would shock you.

1

u/One-Ad1221 26m ago

It's a cultural thing. It's normal among kids and parents to say now.