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- Topic: Norwegian (Bokmål) >
- "Jeg ser onkelen min sjelden."
24 Comments
151
Would thae placement of 'sjelden' put any emphasis on any part of the sentence? In English, one would say: I seldom see my uncle. But can't do that in norsk so....does the placement of 'sjelden' after the verb underscore that I seldom SEE my uncle (but may talk to him often, etc) or if after 'onkelen min' suggest that i don't see HIM often but see others more frequently. Or am I making something out of nothing? (: Takk!!
"Jeg ser sjelden onkelen min" is "better" Norwegian but doesn't change the meaning in any way. But which word you put the pressure on will tell you if you seldom SEE him or if you seldom meet him.
In English, the present continuous tense (ex. I am going to the doctor) is usually used to talk about something happening NOW. The present tense (I see) is used for things that happen often (ex. I go to the doctor every week). Since seeing your uncle is something that you often do or don't do and it is not something happening right now, you must say "I rarely see my uncle." Saying "I am rarely seeing my uncle" doesn't make sense in English.
Bonus tip: the senses (hearing, seeing, smelling, etc.) are rarely used with the present continuous tense (ex. I am hearing beautiful music) and almost always with the present simple tense (ex. I hear beautiful music).
- 1301
NOW or in the future, perhaps in our current plans or dreams. "I am taking the test on Wednesday." "We are moving to Canada when we win the lottery." Thanks for the hint on senses.
Im not sure the official explanation, but "I am rarely seeing.." doesn't sound natural in English. It would be more common to say, "I rarely see..."
In English we could also say, 'I don't see my uncle very often.' But not in this case. I seldom use the word 'seldom'.
Yes, that is what it means. I find it an easy way to remember what 'sjelden' means.
- 323
this phrase is in the Norwegian course. One question is translate "I seldom see my uncle." and "Jeg ser onkelen min sjelden." was one of 3 options presented
- 1301
Infrequently. Not often. Perhaps even rarely. "My friends used to visit every week, but I seldom see them now that my money is gone."
