Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Har du nok penger, eller må jeg betale?

Norwegian yes/no questions put the finite verb before the subject (verb–subject order). So the statement Du har nok penger becomes the question Har du nok penger? The second clause is also a yes/no question: må jeg betale?

Why is there a comma before eller?

Because eller links two independent clauses. Norwegian comma rules call for a comma between main clauses: Har du nok penger, eller må jeg betale? In casual texting people sometimes skip it, but in standard writing you should include the comma. You could also split them into two sentences: Har du nok penger? Eller må jeg betale?

What exactly does nok mean here?

Here nok means enough (quantifier): nok penger = enough money. Be aware that nok can also be a modal particle meaning probably (e.g., Det blir nok bra = It will probably be fine), but in your sentence it clearly means sufficiency.

Can nok go after penger, as in Har du penger nok?

Yes. Both Har du nok penger? and Har du penger nok? are idiomatic. The meaning is the same; the postposed penger nok can sound a touch more emphatic or colloquial in some contexts, but both are common.

Why is penger plural? Is there a singular form?

Penger is a plural-only noun (pluralia tantum) in everyday Norwegian when it means money in general. Its definite form is pengene (the money). A singular en penge exists historically/poetically but is not used for everyday amounts. If you need a countable item, you’d use specific words like en krone (a crown), en seddel (a banknote), or en mynt (a coin).

Why is there no å before betale after må?

After modal verbs you use the bare infinitive (no å): må betale, skal betale, kan betale, vil betale, bør betale. With non-modals expressing need, you include å: trenger å betale.

What is the nuance of må here compared with skal, bør, or kan?

må: necessity/obligation — Do I have to pay?
skal: offer/arrangement — Shall I pay? (often the most polite offer)
bør: advisability — Should I pay? (what’s best/appropriate)
kan: ability/permission — Can I pay? (am I allowed/able) Examples:
Har du nok penger, eller skal jeg betale? (polite offer)
Har du nok penger, eller bør jeg betale? (what’s advisable)
Har du nok penger, eller kan jeg betale? (offering ability/permission)

Does må jeg betale sound too direct or blunt?

It’s not rude, but it’s quite direct (it asks whether it’s necessary for you to pay). For a softer, more polite offer, Norwegians often say:

Skal jeg betale?
Vil du at jeg skal betale? (Do you want me to pay?)
Skal jeg ta denne? (Shall I take this one? i.e., pay this time)

Can I add for deg to make it clear I’m paying for the other person?

Yes. Må jeg betale for deg? means you’re asking if you should pay on their behalf. Without for deg, context usually makes it clear (e.g., at a checkout) that you’re talking about paying for the purchase, possibly for both/your share. Add for deg if you want to be explicit.

Should I say med deg or på deg for “on you/with you”?

For things you’re carrying along, prefer med deg: Har du nok penger med deg?
på deg is common with clothes and can also be used with cash: Har du kontanter på deg? For general money, med deg sounds more neutral; with cash specifically, på deg is idiomatic.

How do I ask specifically about cash or card?

Cash: Har du nok kontanter, eller skal jeg betale?
Card balance: Har du dekning på kortet, eller skal jeg betale? (dekning = sufficient funds)
Mobile pay (Norway): Har du Vipps, eller skal jeg betale?

Where does ikke go if I want to negate it?

In questions, ikke follows the subject:

Har du ikke nok penger, eller skal jeg betale? In the second clause: eller må jeg ikke betale? means “or mustn’t I pay?” (a different meaning, so use with care).

Why du and jeg, not deg and meg?

du and jeg are subject forms (nominative) used before the verb: Har du …, må jeg …. deg and meg are object forms, used after prepositions/verbs: Jeg betaler for deg, Kan du hjelpe meg?

Could I drop the subject pronouns, like saying only må betale?

No. Norwegian generally requires subject pronouns; you can’t omit jeg here. You need må jeg betale?

How would this look in past or future?

Past: Hadde du nok penger, eller måtte jeg betale?
Future-like:
- Vil du ha nok penger, eller må jeg betale?
- Kommer du til å ha nok penger, eller må jeg betale?

Are there colloquial alternatives to the question word order?

In informal speech, you’ll sometimes hear a statement with rising intonation used as a question: Du har nok penger? But when you add the second clause with eller, most speakers keep the question word order as in your sentence.

Any quick pronunciation tips?

Har: the h is pronounced; r is tapped/rolled.
du: close front rounded vowel, like the u in French tu.
nok: short o (like British not).
penger: stress on the first syllable.
må: long vowel (like the o in English more, rounded).
Yes/no questions typically have a rising intonation toward the end.