"Jeg vil heller ha vann enn vin."
Translation:I would rather have water than wine.
August 11, 2015
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This discussion is locked.
Could a fluent Norwegian speaker clarify a question of nuance about this sentence? Both "I would rather have water than wine" (although "I would rather have water than have wine" sounds better to my native ear, and would be more appropriate in written English) and "I want water rather than wine" are both legitimate translations.
However, the first is more polite and more indicates a preference whereas the second is more blunt, more uncompromising, and could convey a demand (or need) rather than a polite request or preference. Does this Norwegian sentence more reflect one of these nuances than the other? Or does it cover both, with nuance being imparted by vocal tone or physical demeanor?