Begge - begge deler - begge to - både … og …
/In Norwegian, there are several ways of expressing "both" depending on the context!
Confused?
Let’s start with “begge”.
Figure out if you know how to use them by taking the test below (tell me which ones are right in the comment field BEFORE you look at the "fasit" - correction!). When that is done, you can look at the correction and see if you figure out the rule. And when that is done, I permit you to read the rules at the bottom of this page (DON'T cheat, it won't serve you...).
Ready? Here are the alternatives!
A: Liker du kaffe eller te? Begge to!
B: Liker du kaffe eller te? Begge deler!
C: Liker du kaffe eller te? Begge!
E: Hvilken nabo liker du best? Jeg liker begge to!
F: Hvilken nabo liker du best? Jeg liker begge deler!
G: Hvilken nabo liker du best? Jeg liker begge!
H: Liker du best kaffen eller teen? Jeg liker begge to!
I: Liker du best kaffen eller teen? Jeg liker begge deler!
J: Liker du best kaffen eller teen? Jeg liker begge!
K: Liker du best glede eller håp? Jeg liker begge to!
L: Liker du best glede eller håp? Jeg liker begge deler!
M: Liker du best glede eller håp? Jeg liker begge!
Go ahead, write down the ones you think are correct!
Done?
Ok, here are the answers:
A: Liker du kaffe eller te? Begge to!
B: Liker du kaffe eller te? Begge deler! Riktig!
C: Liker du kaffe eller te? Begge!
E: Hvilken nabo liker du best? Jeg liker begge to! Riktig!
F: Hvilken nabo liker du best? Jeg liker begge deler!
G: Hvilken nabo liker du best? Jeg liker begge! Riktig!
H: Liker du best kaffen eller teen? Jeg liker begge to! Riktig!
I: Liker du best kaffen eller teen? Jeg liker begge deler!
J: Liker du best kaffen eller teen? Jeg liker begge! Riktig!
K: Liker du best glede eller håp? Jeg liker begge to! Feil.
L: Liker du best glede eller håp? Jeg liker begge deler! Riktig
M: Liker du best glede eller håp? Jeg liker begge. Feil
How did it go? Did you figure out the rules all by yourself?
If not: here are the rules:
1. "Begge to" and "begge": are used about people and definite nouns (things that you can point at, not abstract concepts or things in general).
2. "Begge deler": is used about indefinite nouns (when you talk about something in general and not a specific object, for instance "I like coffee". You also use it about things that cannot be counted such as "water and air", and abstract things like "peace and calm").
Another option that works in both cases, is using begge + a noun putting the two things you are refering to in the same category. For instance: begge drikkene (both of the drinks) could, depending on the context, refer to two types of drinks (coffee and tea in general) or the specific drinks in front of you (the coffee and the tea on the table).
Now, what about “både”?
Using “både” you always have to add “og” with it. The pattern is the following:
både (something) og (something).
Både mamma og pappa. (= begge foreldrene mine)
Både ALWAYS comes together with og.
Always.
I dag er det både snø og vind.
Jeg liker både kaffe og te.
Du kan ikke få både pizza og taco.
Both … and … .
Både … og … .
Using både … og … correctly is easy, as long as you remember to always add “og”.
Now that you know the rules for “begge (to/deler)”, why not try again and see if you figure it out by yourself this time?
Still difficult? Here are some more exercises for you.
Lykke til! :)
Silje :)
