Questions & Answers about Hun har råd til en ny jakke.
What does the phrase har råd til mean literally, and how is it used?
It literally means “has means/money for” and is the standard way to say “can afford.”
- With a noun: har råd til + noun (e.g., a jacket).
- With a verb: har råd til å + infinitive (e.g., to buy a jacket).
Why is it har and not kan even though English says “can afford”?
Norwegian uses the verb ha (“to have”) in the fixed expression ha råd til. The modal kan expresses ability/possibility in general. Compare:
- Hun kan kjøpe ... = She is able/allowed to buy (not necessarily about money).
- Hun har råd til ... = She has the financial means.
Does råd also mean “advice”? Is that the same word?
Yes. Råd can mean “advice” (et råd, “a piece of advice”) or “council.” In the fixed phrase ha råd til, it means “means/money,” not “advice.” The meaning is determined by the construction.
Why the preposition til? Could I use for instead?
No. The construction is fixed: ha råd til. You also say penger til (“money for”). For is not used here.