Norwegian word choices
Synes vs tror: which word fits?
Both can mean ‘think’. Use synes for your assessment; use tror for what you believe is true. Try the distinction below.
The difference is what you mean
Synes expresses an opinion or assessment, often based on experience. Tror expresses a belief about what is true, including an expectation or something you are unsure about.
Imagine talking about a new café. After visiting, Jeg synes at kafeen er koselig gives your impression: you find it cosy. Before visiting, Jeg tror at kafeen er koselig can express your expectation.
This is not a rule that one word is always correct and the other always wrong. Changing the word can change the meaning. In the exercise, choose the word that matches the situation given.
Why not translate every “think” the same way?
English uses “think” for both an assessment and a belief. Before choosing the Norwegian word, ask: am I giving my own assessment, or saying what I believe is true?
This guide focuses on those common uses, rather than every meaning of either verb. See NTNU’s explanation of synes and tro for the distinction. The situations and practice notes here are original examples.
Four practice notes
Keep these examples for learning
Each note keeps the situation, sentence and explanation together.
Prompt
You have just listened to a song and want to say you like it. Jeg ___ at sangen er fin. Choose synes or tror.
Answer and explanation
Jeg synes at sangen er fin. I think the song is nice. Synes expresses your personal assessment after listening. Tror would express a belief about the song rather than that assessment.
Prompt
You have not checked the timetable. You believe the bus leaves at eight. Jeg ___ at bussen går klokka åtte. Choose synes or tror.
Answer and explanation
Jeg tror at bussen går klokka åtte. I think the bus leaves at eight. Tror expresses what you believe is true about the departure time. You are not giving a personal rating of the bus.
Prompt
You are sitting in a room and find it too cold for your comfort. Jeg ___ at det er for kaldt her. Choose synes or tror.
Answer and explanation
Jeg synes at det er for kaldt her. I think it is too cold here. Synes expresses your assessment of the temperature. Tror would suggest a belief or estimate rather than describing how it feels to you.
Prompt
You have not met the new neighbour yet. From what a friend has told you, you expect her to be friendly. Jeg ___ at den nye naboen er hyggelig. Choose synes or tror.
Answer and explanation
Jeg tror at den nye naboen er hyggelig. I think the new neighbour is friendly. Tror fits a belief based on what you have heard. After meeting her, synes could express your own impression.