Conditional
Kondisjonalis
Conditional sentences use 'hvis' (if) + past tense in the condition, and 'ville' + infinitive in the result: 'Hvis jeg hadde penger, ville jeg reise' (If I had money, I would travel).
Rule
Hvis + subject + past tense, + ville + subject + infinitive
Examples
Hvis jeg var rik, ville jeg kjøpe et hus.
If I were rich, I would buy a house.
Hvis det regner, blir vi hjemme.
If it rains, we stay home.
Jeg ville reist hvis jeg kunne.
I would have traveled if I could.
Common Mistake
Hvis jeg er rik, ville jeg kjøpe...
Hvis jeg var rik, ville jeg kjøpe...
Unreal conditions require past tense after 'hvis', not present tense. 'Var' (was) is used even for present unreal conditions.
English vs Norwegian
| English | Norsk |
|---|---|
| If I were rich, I would buy a house. | Hvis jeg var rik, ville jeg kjøpe et hus. |
| If it rains, we stay home. | Hvis det regner, blir vi hjemme. |
| I would have traveled if I could. | Jeg ville reist hvis jeg kunne. |
English
If I were rich, I would buy a house.
Norsk
Hvis jeg var rik, ville jeg kjøpe et hus.
English
If it rains, we stay home.
Norsk
Hvis det regner, blir vi hjemme.
English
I would have traveled if I could.
Norsk
Jeg ville reist hvis jeg kunne.