In the US, I love you can be used for all loved ones, including parents, children, spouses, and significant others.
Whereas in Norway, there are two different phrases for showing affection. One phrase is for friends and family and the other is usually reserved only for romantic partners.
The first is below.
Jeg er glad i deg directly translates to I am happy in you. A person would use this phrase to express affection toward a parent or to a very close friend. Norwegians would not say Jeg er glad i deg when ending a telephone call with a loved one or after leaving a loved one’s presence, like we may with I love you, in the US
Jeg elsker deg translates to I love you and is the phrase used between partners. I am told parents can say this to their young children, but it fades as the child grows older. I was told by one Norwegian friend that if she told her father Jeg elsker deg, it would feel like incest.
Understanding the idea that knowing words in a language does not always translate to understanding culture is very important. With this in mind, I will leave you with some language learning inspiration from 17 year polyglot, Tim Doner.
Whereas in Norway, there are two different phrases for showing affection. One phrase is for friends and family and the other is usually reserved only for romantic partners.
The first is below.
Jeg er glad i deg directly translates to I am happy in you. A person would use this phrase to express affection toward a parent or to a very close friend. Norwegians would not say Jeg er glad i deg when ending a telephone call with a loved one or after leaving a loved one’s presence, like we may with I love you, in the US
Jeg elsker deg translates to I love you and is the phrase used between partners. I am told parents can say this to their young children, but it fades as the child grows older. I was told by one Norwegian friend that if she told her father Jeg elsker deg, it would feel like incest.
Understanding the idea that knowing words in a language does not always translate to understanding culture is very important. With this in mind, I will leave you with some language learning inspiration from 17 year polyglot, Tim Doner.