Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Hva slags olje bruker du i stekepannen, og hva koster den? - What kind of oil do you use in the frying pan, and how much does it cost?

Hva slags means “what kind/sort of,” asking about the type (e.g., olive, sunflower, rapeseed).
Hvilken means “which,” typically choosing from a known, limited set.
So: Hva slags olje bruker du …? = asking about the type; Hvilken olje bruker du …? = which specific oil (brand/option) among known choices.
Do not say hvilken slags; that’s unidiomatic.

Does «slags» change form, or take an article?

Slags is invariable; it doesn’t change for number or gender.
After hva slags, use a bare noun (no article): hva slags olje, not “hva slags en olje.”
Works with plural too: Hva slags bøker liker du? (What kinds of books do you like?)

Why is there no article on «olje»?

Two reasons: 1) After hva slags, the noun stays bare: hva slags olje. 2) Olje is a mass noun; you normally don’t use an article in this context. You’d only see an article when referring to a specific item/type, e.g., en olje med hvitløk (a garlic-infused oil).

Why is it the definite form «i stekepannen» instead of the indefinite?

Norwegian often uses the definite form for specific, context-known objects (your/the frying pan you use).
i stekepannen implies “in the (your usual) frying pan.”
If you mean it generically, you could say:
- i en stekepanne (in a frying pan)
- når du steker (when you fry)
- til steking (for frying)

Could I say «på stekepannen» instead of «i stekepannen»?

No; idiomatically you fry in a pan: i stekepannen.
Use på with flat surfaces: på stekeplata (on the stovetop/hotplate), på grillen (on the grill), på panna is dialectal but usually still means “in the pan.”

Why is the word order «bruker du» and not «du bruker»?

Norwegian main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb goes in second position.
A wh-phrase like Hva slags olje occupies first position; the verb (bruker) must come next: Hva slags olje [bruker] [du] …
Compare: Yes/no question: Bruker du olje?; Statement: Du bruker olje.

Can I split this into two separate questions instead of using comma + «og»?

Yes. Very natural:
- Hva slags olje bruker du i stekepannen? Og hva koster den?
- Or simply: Hva slags olje bruker du i stekepannen? Hva koster den?
Keeping them in one sentence with a comma and og is also seen; many writers prefer two sentences for clarity.

Why «den» and not «det» in «hva koster den»?

Olje is common gender in Bokmål, so the agreeing pronoun is den.
In everyday speech, det also appears as a neutral/dummy “it” for price: Hva koster det? That’s idiomatic too.
Nuance: den points to a specific, concrete item (e.g., that bottle); det asks more generically about the cost.

What exactly does «den» refer to here?

Practically, it refers to the purchasable product you mean (usually a bottle/container of that oil).
If you want to ask per unit, specify: Hva koster den per liter? / Hva koster en liter?

Is there a difference between «Hva koster den?» and «Hvor mye koster den?»?

Both are correct and common.
Hva koster den? is the most idiomatic set phrase for asking price.
Hvor mye koster den? is equally understandable and slightly more explicit (“how much”).

What about «stekepannen» vs «stekepanna» vs «steikepanna»?

Bokmål allows masculine or feminine forms:
- Masculine: en stekepanne – stekepannen (used in your sentence)
- Feminine: ei stekepanne – stekepanna
Nynorsk/dialect often uses steike-: ei steikepanne – steikepanna.
Choose one system and stay consistent in a text.

Pronunciation tips for tricky bits?

Does «bruker du» mean “what you usually use” or “what you are using right now”?

Simple present can be habitual or present-time. Context decides.
To emphasize habit: Hva slags olje pleier du å bruke …?
To emphasize “this time/now”: Hva slags olje bruker du nå? / Skal du bruke nå?

Can I say «i panna» instead of «i stekepannen»?

In informal speech: yes, i panna is common.
In neutral/formal writing, prefer the full form: i stekepannen (or i stekepanna if you’ve chosen the feminine form).