Opinions and reasons
How to express your opinion in Norwegian
“It is good because it is important” sounds like a reason, but it does not tell the listener much. A useful opinion answer explains what changes, who benefits or why something matters. This guide shows how to build that explanation in Norwegian, test it with a follow-up question and respond to another view.
Choose between synes, mener and tror
English “I think” covers several meanings. Synes is useful for a personal opinion or judgement based on experience. Tror is useful when you believe something is true but do not know for sure. Use mener to state a position you want to explain. The meanings can overlap, so treat this as a guide, not a fixed rule.
Choose one opening and complete it. A clear position with a reason is more useful than a long list of opening phrases.
Jeg synes det er lettere å lære sammen med andre.
I think it is easier to learn with other people.
A personal judgement about learning.
Jeg mener at kollektivtransport bør være billigere.
I think public transport should be cheaper.
A position the speaker can support with reasons.
Jeg tror at kurset starter i august.
I think the course starts in August.
A belief about a fact. The speaker is not certain and could check it.
Check whether your reason adds information
After your opinion, ask: what would become easier, better or harder? Name a consequence instead of repeating that your idea is good. The first example below gives a consequence; the second shows what it could mean in everyday life.
A personal experience can support your explanation, but you do not need to invent one. You can describe a possible situation and clearly introduce it as an example.
Opinion and reason
Jeg mener at kollektivtransport bør være billigere fordi flere da kan bruke buss og tog.
I think public transport should be cheaper because more people could then use buses and trains.
Possible example
For eksempel kan en familie spare penger hvis de tar bussen i stedet for bilen.
For example, a family can save money if they take the bus instead of the car.
Try three tests on your reason
Use these checks on a reason from your own answer.
- Cover your opinion sentence and read only the reason. Does it explain who benefits or what changes?
- Remove “good”, “important” or “better” from your draft reason. What concrete detail could replace the word?
- Check that your example supports this reason. A new example on an unrelated topic makes the answer harder to follow.
Add one condition that changes the answer
You do not need to abandon your position to acknowledge a difficulty. Say when your idea might work less well, then explain what would help. This develops your answer more than adding a list of “on the one hand” phrases.
For a practice question about working from home, compare the preference with the condition below. The condition explains why the same choice may suit one person and not another.
Jeg foretrekker å jobbe hjemme fordi jeg kan konsentrere meg bedre.
I prefer working from home because I can concentrate better.
Samtidig kan det være vanskelig hvis man ikke har et rolig sted å jobbe.
At the same time, it can be difficult if you do not have a quiet place to work.
Derfor mener jeg at det bør være mulig å velge.
That is why I think it should be possible to choose.
Respond to a point, not just to the person
When another speaker disagrees, identify the point you accept or question. These phrases let you do that without having to persuade the other person to change their mind. Use the linked conversation guide for a full partner exercise.
Jeg er enig i at det er dyrt, men billigere billetter kan hjelpe folk som har lite penger.
I agree that it is expensive, but cheaper tickets can help people who have little money.
Jeg forstår hva du mener, men jeg ser det litt annerledes.
I understand what you mean, but I see it a little differently.
Hva tenker du om det?
What do you think about that?
A model answer, with two ways to develop it
This short practice answer gives a view, a reason, an example and a difficulty. It is much shorter than a 2–3-minute opinion task. To develop it, explain a second consequence or respond to a competing view; do not repeat the first reason in new words.
After Da, For eksempel, Samtidig and Derfor, the verb in present or past tense comes before the subject. In the model, these finite verbs are kan, trenger and synes; the subjects are flere, familier, vi and jeg. With kan, the second verb, such as bruke or spare, stays later in the sentence.
Jeg mener at kollektivtransport bør være billigere. Da kan flere bruke buss og tog, og noen kan la bilen stå hjemme. For eksempel kan familier spare penger på reisen til jobb og skole. Samtidig trenger vi flere busser, særlig på steder der bussene går sjelden. Derfor synes jeg at både pris og tilbud er viktige.
I think public transport should be cheaper. More people could then use buses and trains, and some could leave the car at home. For example, families could save money travelling to work and school. At the same time, we need more buses, especially in places where services are infrequent. That is why I think both the price and the service matter.
Develop a consequence
Hvem vil ha størst nytte av billigere billetter?
Who would benefit most from cheaper tickets?
Choose one group and explain its situation.
Respond to a competing point
Hva om det ikke går noen buss der man bor?
What if there is no bus service where you live?
This question tests the limit of cheaper prices. Explain what else would need to change.
Use the right opinion task and timing
HK-dir lists giving and justifying an opinion as task 3 at A2–B1 and task 1 at B1–B2. In each, you speak for about 2–3 minutes and may receive follow-up questions.
B1–B2 also has a statement task. You hear the statement, see it in writing and are offered a little time to think and note keywords. You then speak independently for 2–3 minutes, followed by 2–3 minutes of examiner questions: about 4–6 minutes altogether. The keyword exercise below is our practice method; HK-dir does not specify a one-minute preparation period on that page.
Test the explanation before adding more phrases
Listen to your recording and identify one opinion, one reason and one example. If you cannot tell them apart, make the reason or example more specific. A longer answer is useful only when it develops the topic.
- Reason: does it explain a consequence, need or difficulty rather than repeat the opinion?
- Example: can a listener picture the situation, and does it support your reason?
- Follow-up: can you answer “why?” or “what if?” without giving the same opening again?
- Another view: can you explain one condition or drawback that matters to this question?
Speak out loud
Give one opinion, then test it with “what if?”
- Choose a question below. Take one minute to write three keywords: your view, a reason and an example.
- Record an answer using the keywords. Start short, then develop it toward 2–3 minutes when rehearsing the opinion task.
- Check the reason and example using the four checks above. Add one relevant detail if the reason only repeats your opinion.
- Ask a partner to give a “what if?” question about your answer. If you are alone, choose a situation where your proposal would be difficult.
- Answer that question, then record a short answer supporting the opposite position. You are practising an explanation, so it does not have to be your personal belief.
Bør barn ha lekser?
Should children have homework?
Bør man kunne jobbe hjemme noen dager i uka?
Should people be able to work from home some days of the week?
Sources and editorial note
These guides were written with AI assistance for MuntligB1. Examples and exercises are original practice material. Exam-format statements refer to HK-dir; grammar explanations link to their teaching sources.
