Norwegian word choices
Begge vs både: two ways to say “both”
Use begge for a pair and både … og … to connect what you include. Try four everyday situations.
The difference
Begge refers to the two members of a pair: begge naboene (both neighbours). Både introduces things you connect with og: både ris og pasta (both rice and pasta).
A pair, or a connection?
Jeg inviterte begge naboene treats the neighbours as a pair. Jeg inviterte både naboen og søsteren min names the people separately. Look at the construction after the blank, rather than translating the English word “both” on its own.
Begge can stand alone when the pair is already clear: Jeg inviterte begge (I invited both). Begge to makes the pair explicit. To include two activities or alternatives already mentioned, you will also encounter begge deler (both).
Både can connect more than nouns
Rommet er både lyst og stille means the room is both bright and quiet. Keep the og: writing begge before lyst does not create that connection.
Norwegian can also use både with a list of more than two elements. Begge still refers to two. The exercise below sticks to pairs and two-part connections.
References: NTNU’s explanation of both and NTNU’s notes on begge to and begge deler. These practice examples are original.
Four practice notes
Keep these examples for learning
Each note keeps the situation, sentence and explanation together.
Prompt
You have two neighbours and invited the two of them to dinner. Jeg inviterte ___ naboene. Choose begge or både.
Answer and explanation
Jeg inviterte begge naboene. I invited both neighbours. Begge refers to the pair described by naboene. There is no list joined by og here.
Prompt
You bought two kinds of food: rice and pasta. Jeg kjøpte ___ ris og pasta. Choose begge or både.
Answer and explanation
Jeg kjøpte både ris og pasta. I bought both rice and pasta. Både introduces the two things connected by og.
Prompt
You tried two jackets and like each one. The pair is already clear. Jeg liker ___. Choose begge or både.
Answer and explanation
Jeg liker begge. I like both. Begge can stand alone when the two things are understood. Både needs a connection with og.
Prompt
The room has two good qualities: it is bright and quiet. Rommet er ___ lyst og stille. Choose begge or både.
Answer and explanation
Rommet er både lyst og stille. The room is both bright and quiet. Både … og … connects the two descriptions lyst and stille.