Reflexive verbs and reflexive nouns +examples in a song “Vi vasker oss”

In Norwegian, reflexive verbs involve an action that reflects back on the subject. These verbs are typically accompanied by a reflexive pronoun, such as meg (myself), deg (yourself), seg (himself/herself/itself), oss (ourselves), or dere (yourselves).

Here’s a breakdown with examples:

Reflexive Pronouns in Norwegian:

• meg – myself
• deg – yourself (singular)
• seg – himself/herself/itself
• oss – ourselves
• dere – yourselves
• seg – themselves

Examples of Reflexive Verbs:

1. Å vaske seg – to wash oneself
   • Jeg vasker meg. (I wash myself.)
   • Hun vasker seg. (She washes herself.)
2. Å kle på seg – to get dressed
   • Vi kler på oss. (We get dressed.)
   • Du kler på deg. (You get dressed.)
3. Å glede seg – to look forward to
   • Jeg gleder meg til ferien. (I’m looking forward to the vacation.)
   • De gleder seg til konserten. (They are looking forward to the concert.)

Some reflexive verbs in Norwegian don’t have a direct reflexive equivalent in English, but they are still common in everyday speech.

Here’s a detailed list of reflexive pronouns in Norwegian along with how they are used:

Person	Norwegian Reflexive Pronoun	Translation
1st person singular	meg	myself
2nd person singular	deg	yourself
3rd person singular	seg	himself, herself, itself
1st person plural	oss	ourselves
2nd person plural	dere	yourselves
3rd person plural	seg	themselves

How they are used:

1. Å vaske seg (to wash oneself)
   • Jeg vasker meg. (I wash myself.)
   • Du vasker deg. (You wash yourself.)
   • Han vasker seg. (He washes himself.)
   • Vi vasker oss. (We wash ourselves.)
2. Å skynde seg (to hurry)
   • Jeg skynder meg. (I hurry.)
   • De skynder seg. (They hurry.)
3. Å sette seg (to sit down)
   • Vi setter oss. (We sit down.)
   • Hun setter seg. (She sits down.)

In reflexive verbs, the pronoun always matches the subject in number and person.

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Here’s a simple song in Norwegian that illustrates reflexive verbs, with a cheerful and repetitive structure. It’s great for learning and remembering the reflexive pronouns!

“Vi vasker oss!” (We Wash Ourselves!)

Vers 1
Når jeg står opp, så vasker jeg meg,
When I get up, I wash myself,
Rask og glad, jeg pusser meg!
Quick and happy, I brush myself!
Du vasker deg, og han vasker seg,
You wash yourself, and he washes himself,
Alle gjør vi det på vår vei!
We all do it along our way!

Refreng
Vi vasker oss, ja, vasker oss!
We wash ourselves, yes, wash ourselves!
Både morgen, kveld og dag!
Morning, evening, and all day!
Vi vasker oss, ja, vasker oss,
We wash ourselves, yes, wash ourselves,
Det gjør oss rene og glad!
It makes us clean and happy!

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Vers 2
Når vi kler på, så kler vi oss,
When we get dressed, we dress ourselves,
Bukse, genser – alt på plass!
Pants, sweater – all in place!
Hun kler seg, og de kler seg,
She dresses herself, and they dress themselves,
Sammen gjør vi alt med pass!
Together we do it carefully!

Refreng
Vi kler oss, ja, kler oss på,
We dress ourselves, yes, dress ourselves,
Snart vi løper ut og gå!
Soon we run out and walk!
Vi kler oss, ja, kler oss på,
We dress ourselves, yes, dress ourselves,
Kom, bli med og se på nå!
Come join us and watch now!

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Vers 3
Når vi må skynde, så skynder vi oss,
When we must hurry, we hurry ourselves,
Tiden løper, kom igjen!
Time is running, come on!
Jeg skynder meg, og du skynder deg,
I hurry myself, and you hurry yourself,
Ingen skal bli sen i dag!
No one will be late today!

Refreng
Vi skynder oss, ja, skynder oss,
We hurry ourselves, yes, hurry ourselves,
Rask og glad på vei vi går!
Fast and happy, off we go!
Vi skynder oss, ja, skynder oss,
We hurry ourselves, yes, hurry ourselves,
Syng med meg én gang til, så klart!
Sing with me once again, of course!

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“Vi vasker oss!” (We Wash Ourselves!)

(Tune: Simple and bouncy – think of a children’s song)

Vers 1
Når jeg står opp, så vasker jeg meg,
Rask og glad, jeg pusser meg!
Du vasker deg, og han vasker seg,
Alle gjør vi det på vår vei!

Refreng
Vi vasker oss, ja, vasker oss!
Både morgen, kveld og dag!
Vi vasker oss, ja, vasker oss,
Det gjør oss rene og glad!

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Vers 2
Når vi kler på, så kler vi oss,
Bukse, genser – alt på plass!
Hun kler seg, og de kler seg,
Sammen gjør vi alt med pass!

Refreng
Vi kler oss, ja, kler oss på,
Snart vi løper ut og gå!
Vi kler oss, ja, kler oss på,
Kom, bli med og se på nå!

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Vers 3
Når vi må skynde, så skynder vi oss,
Tiden løper, kom igjen!
Jeg skynder meg, og du skynder deg,
Ingen skal bli sen i dag!

Refreng
Vi skynder oss, ja, skynder oss,
Rask og glad på vei vi går!
Vi skynder oss, ja, skynder oss,
Syng med meg én gang til, så klart!

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