Untranslatable wordEveryday
Norwegian
Harryhandel
Meaning: The day trip over the border into Sweden to buy meat, sweets and drink far cheaper than at home.
Literally: Harry-shopping
Origin: Norwegian harry (slang for 'tacky, common') + handel ('trade').
More Norwegian untranslatable words
- Takk for sist A greeting that thanks someone for the previous occasion you met, acknowledging shared hi…
- Forelsket The overwhelming, almost dizzy euphoria of falling in love — that specific state of early…
- Friluftsliv The philosophy and practice of spending time outdoors — not as exercise or sport, but as…
- Utepils The specific pleasure of sitting outside in the sun and drinking a beer — a ritual that f…
- Pålegg Anything you might put on a slice of bread — cheese, ham, jam, egg, whatever — gathered u…
- Dugnad Unpaid work done together for the common good — neighbours painting the building, parents…
Explore another collection: False Friends
Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
Keep exploring