Norwegian word choices
Annen, annet and andre: another or other in Norwegian
Choose annen, annet or andre using the noun and the sentence. Practise singular, plural and definite forms.
The difference
Annen goes with an indefinite singular en-noun, annet with an et-noun, and andre with plural nouns: en annen buss (another bus), et annet kart (another map), andre forslag (other suggestions).
What about feminine nouns?
You can use ei anna jakke or en annen jakke for another jacket. Bokmål also permits annen with feminine nouns. Anna is a valid form, so a three-word exercise cannot cover every accepted alternative.
Andre can also refer to one thing
Compare en annen buss, another bus, with den andre bussen, the other bus. Likewise, et annet kart becomes det andre kartet. The definite pattern uses andre even in the singular.
In de andre bussene, the other buses, andre is plural and definite. It can also mean “second” in an order, as in andre plass (second place). Context tells you which meaning is intended.
Something else
Noe annet means something else; noen andre can mean someone else. See noe vs noen for indefinite references and quantities.
References: NTNU’s singular and plural forms and Bokmålsordboka’s meanings and forms. The practice situations below are original.
Six practice notes
Keep these examples for learning
Each note keeps the situation, sentence and explanation together.
Prompt
The bus you planned to take has been cancelled. You need a different bus. Vi må ta en ___ buss. Choose annen or annet or andre.
Answer and explanation
Vi må ta en annen buss. We have to take another bus. Buss is an en-noun in the indefinite singular, so en annen fits.
Prompt
The map does not show the walking paths you need. Ask for a different map. Har du et ___ kart? Choose annen or annet or andre.
Answer and explanation
Har du et annet kart? Do you have another map? Kart is an et-noun. The indefinite singular pattern here is et annet.
Prompt
The first suggestion will not work. Ask the group for different suggestions. Har dere ___ forslag? Choose annen or annet or andre.
Answer and explanation
Har dere andre forslag? Do you have other suggestions? Forslag is plural here, even though its spelling is the same as in the singular. Use andre for other suggestions.
Prompt
There are two buses outside. The one on the left goes to the airport; you need the other bus. Vi skal ta den ___ bussen. Choose annen or annet or andre.
Answer and explanation
Vi skal ta den andre bussen. We are going to take the other bus. Den and the definite noun bussen signal the definite singular pattern den andre bussen.
Prompt
You have two maps on the table. This map is old, but the other one is new. Det ___ kartet er nytt. Choose annen or annet or andre.
Answer and explanation
Det andre kartet er nytt. The other map is new. Det andre kartet is definite singular. Andre is used here even though kart is an et-noun.
Prompt
The proposed activity does not appeal to you. Suggest doing something else. Kan vi gjøre noe ___? Choose annen or annet or andre.
Answer and explanation
Kan vi gjøre noe annet? Can we do something else? Noe annet means something else. Noe takes the neuter form annet in this expression.