Questions & Answers about Kan jeg ringe Dem i morgen?
What does Dem mean here, and how is it different from dem?
Dem with a capital D is the formal object pronoun meaning you (polite/singular). Lowercase dem means them (third-person plural). So ringe Dem = call you (formal), while ringe dem = call them. The capital D is crucial in writing to avoid confusion.
Is De/Dem actually used in modern Norwegian?
Rarely in everyday speech. Most Norwegians use du/deg even with strangers and show politeness through tone and phrasing. De/Dem may appear in very formal letters, customer-service scripts, or when addressing much older people in very traditional settings.
Should Dem always be capitalized?
Yes, when it’s the polite pronoun for you, write De (subject) and Dem (object) with a capital D. Without the capital, dem means them. Some style guides note that capitalized De/Dem looks old-fashioned, but if you use the polite pronoun at all, keep the capital to avoid ambiguity.
Can I just say deg instead of Dem?