Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Følg meg, så viser jeg deg veien. - Follow me, and I will show you the way.

Følg is the imperative (command) form of the verb følge (“to follow”). In Norwegian, you form the imperative of most verbs by removing the infinitive ending -e (følge → følg). Here it tells someone directly, “Follow me.”

Why isn’t there a subject like du in Følg meg?

Imperative sentences in Norwegian drop the subject; it’s always implied to be “you.” You never say Du følg meg—just Følg meg.

What does så mean in this sentence?

Here så means “then” or “afterward.” It links the two actions in time: “Follow me, then I will show you the way.”

Could you use da instead of så?

No. da is mainly used for past time (“when I was young, da…”). For future or sequence of actions you normally use så (“then”).

Why is the word order in the second clause så viser jeg deg veien?

Because så is placed first as an adverbial (“then”), Norwegian follows its V2 rule: the finite verb (viser) must be the second element. When something else (like så) comes first, the subject (jeg) follows the verb. Hence så + viser + jeg + objects.

What is the role of deg and why does it come before veien?

deg is the indirect object pronoun (“you”). In Norwegian, a pronoun object normally precedes a noun object. So jeg viser deg veien (“I show you the way”)—not jeg viser veien deg.

What is veien exactly?

veien is the definite form of vei, meaning “road,” “path,” or “way.” Adding -en makes it “the way.”

Is the comma before så mandatory?

No, it’s optional. Norwegians often write Følg meg så viser jeg deg veien without a comma, but adding one can make the pause clearer.

Could you express the same idea in another way, e.g. using a future construction?

Yes, you could say Følg meg, så skal jeg vise deg veien. Here skal indicates future: “Follow me, and I will show you the way.”