Norwegian word choices
Begge vs både in Norwegian: Examples and Practice
Use begge for a pair and både … og … to connect what you include. Try four everyday situations.
The short answer
Begge: the two members of a pair. Begge naboene (both neighbours).
Både … og …: connect what you include. Både ris og pasta (both rice and pasta).
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Four examples with answers
Keep these examples for learning
Situations, answers and short explanations.
Prompt
You invited your two neighbours to dinner. Jeg inviterte ___ naboene. Choose begge or både.
Answer and explanation
Jeg inviterte begge naboene. I invited both neighbours. The neighbours form a pair: use begge.
Prompt
You bought 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 connects the two foods with og.
Prompt
You tried two jackets and like both. Jeg liker ___. Choose begge or både.
Answer and explanation
Jeg liker begge. I like both. Begge can stand alone when the pair is clear.
Prompt
The room 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 qualities.
Usage notes
Begge can stand alone when the pair is clear: Jeg inviterte begge (I invited both). Både needs the connection with og and can join qualities too: både lyst og stille (both bright and quiet). Både can include more than two things; begge refers to two.
References: NTNU’s explanation of both and NTNU’s notes on begge to and begge deler. These practice examples are original.