Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Verden føles større når jeg smaker nye retter fra ulike steder. - The world feels bigger when I taste new dishes from different places.

føles is the present tense of å føles, which means “to feel” in the sense of a sensation or impression. Here it expresses that the world gives the impression of being larger. It’s not a reflexive verb in Norwegian (so you don’t need seg), unlike å føle seg (“to feel” in the sense of one’s own emotional state).

Why isn’t there a seg after føles, since “feel” in English can be reflexive?

In Norwegian, føles is not reflexive when talking about how something is perceived. You only use seg with føler when the subject is a person feeling an emotion or physical sensation (e.g. Jeg føler meg trist). Here, verden is the subject, so you just use føles.

Why is smaker in the present tense? Couldn’t I use the past tense?

Using the present tense smaker makes it a general or habitual statement: “when I taste new dishes.” If you switch to past tense (smakte), it would refer to a specific occasion or completed action: “when I tasted new dishes.” The present is more fitting for a general truth or repeated experience.

Do you need på after smaker? What’s the difference between smaker nye retter and smaker på nye retter?

You can say smaker nye retter (taste new dishes) without på because smake can take a direct object. smake på + object emphasizes sampling or trying a bit of something (e.g. smake på vinen = sample the wine). In this sentence, the direct-object construction is natural and concise.

What is the role of nye in nye retter, and how does adjective agreement work here?

nye is the plural indefinite form of the adjective ny (“new”). In Norwegian, adjectives get an -e ending when they modify a plural noun without a definite article: nye retter (new dishes). If it were definite (the new dishes), you’d say de nye rettene.

Why is it fra ulike steder and not fra ulike stedene or another form?

steder is the indefinite plural of sted (“place”). ulike is an adjective meaning “various” or “different,” and it also takes the -e plural ending. You use the indefinite plural because you’re talking about places in general, not specific ones. fra ulike steder = “from different places.”

Can I use forskjellige instead of ulike, and do they mean the same thing?

Yes, forskjellige (“various” or “different”) is a synonym of ulike. Both work here: fra forskjellige steder or fra ulike steder. There’s no big difference in meaning; it’s a stylistic choice.

Why is there no comma before når in this sentence?

In Norwegian, you generally don’t put a comma before når when it introduces a subordinate time clause that follows the main clause. Commas are more restrictive than in English. So Verden føles større når jeg smaker… doesn’t need a comma.