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Vi tar bussen i stedet.

Vi tar bussen i stedet.
We take the bus instead.
FromLesson 37inHardcore Norwegian
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Breakdown of Vi tar bussen i stedet.

vi
we
bussen
the bus
ta
to take
i stedet
instead
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Questions & Answers about Vi tar bussen i stedet.

What tense is tar, and why isn’t there an -ing form?

Tar is the present tense of the verb ta (to take). Norwegian present covers both English simple and progressive:

  • Vi tar bussen = We take the bus / We are taking the bus. Norwegian doesn’t use a separate -ing form the way English does.
Can this sentence also mean “We will take the bus instead”?

Yes. Norwegian often uses the present to talk about near-future plans when the context makes it clear. So Vi tar bussen i stedet can mean “We’ll take the bus instead.” You could also use:

  • Vi skal ta bussen i stedet (a plan/intention)
  • Vi kommer til å ta bussen i stedet (a prediction)
Why is it bussen (definite) and not just buss?

With public transport, Norwegian frequently uses the definite singular to mean “the bus/the train” as the usual means of travel, not a specific bus in the fleet:

  • Jeg tar bussen til jobb. (I take the bus to work.) It can also refer to a specific, context-known bus (e.g., the one we’ve been talking about). Using the definite here is very natural.
Is Vi tar buss i stedet also correct? How does it differ from Vi tar bussen i stedet?

Yes, it’s correct. Nuance:

  • Vi tar bussen i stedet: very common; either the mode of transport in this situation, or the usual/known route.
  • Vi tar buss i stedet: more generic or habitual-sounding (“go by bus” as a means of transport).
  • Vi tar en buss i stedet: “We’ll take a bus (one bus)”—emphasizes “some bus” rather than “the bus system.”
What’s the difference between i stedet and i stedet for?
  • i stedet = “instead” (stands alone when the alternative is understood from context)
    • Vi tar bussen i stedet.
  • i stedet for = “instead of” (must be followed by what’s being replaced)
    • Vi tar bussen i stedet for bilen.
    • Vi tar bussen i stedet for å kjøre.
Can I move i stedet to another position?

Yes. Word order is flexible for emphasis:

  • I stedet tar vi bussen. (Fronting “instead” for emphasis.)
  • Vi tar i stedet bussen. (Also possible; slightly more formal/bookish.) Keeping it at the end (Vi tar bussen i stedet) is the most neutral.
Could I use heller instead of i stedet?

Often, yes:

  • Vi tar heller bussen. (“We’d rather take the bus.”) Nuance: heller conveys preference/choice; i stedet is a neutral “instead.” Both are common in everyday speech.
How do I say it in the past or with other future forms?
  • Past: Vi tok bussen i stedet.
  • Planned future: Vi skal ta bussen i stedet.
  • Predicted future: Vi kommer til å ta bussen i stedet.
  • Present-for-future (very common): Vi tar bussen i stedet (i morgen).
Where does ikke go if I want to negate it?

Place ikke after the finite verb tar:

  • Vi tar ikke bussen i stedet. (We’re not taking the bus instead.) If you front something (like i stedet), ikke still follows the finite verb:
  • I stedet tar vi ikke bussen.
Can I say Vi kjører bussen i stedet?

No, not if you mean “ride the bus.” Kjøre bussen means “drive the bus” (as the driver). As a passenger, say:

  • ta bussen (most common)
  • reise med buss / dra med buss (“travel/go by bus”)
How do you pronounce the sentence?

Approximate guide (Eastern Norwegian):

  • Vi ≈ “vee”
  • tar with a long a: “tahr”
  • bussen: “BUS-sen” (u is like German ü)
  • i: “ee”
  • stedet: “STEH-de” (the final -t is often silent in many dialects) So: “vee tahr BUS-sen ee STEH-de.”
Is i stedet one word or two? What about isteden or istedenfor?
  • Standard Bokmål: i stedet (two words).
  • With “for”: i stedet for (three words) or the accepted alternative istedenfor (one word).
  • You’ll also see isteden; it’s used, but many style guides prefer i stedet in formal writing.
  • Nynorsk: i staden (for). Note: i sted (without -et) means “a moment ago,” not “instead.”
Why isn’t the present taer? What are the principal parts of ta?

Ta is irregular. Principal parts:

  • Infinitive: ta
  • Present: tar
  • Preterite: tok
  • Past participle: tatt
What gender is buss, and what are its forms?

Buss is masculine in Bokmål:

  • Indefinite singular: en buss
  • Definite singular: bussen
  • Indefinite plural: busser
  • Definite plural: bussene Double s keeps the vowel short: buss (short u).
Is there a difference between Vi tar bussen and Vi tar denne bussen?

Yes:

  • Vi tar bussen: the bus as the usual/obvious option (or the context-known bus/route).
  • Vi tar denne bussen: specifically “this bus” (e.g., this particular line/vehicle right here).
Do I need to say what it’s “instead” of, or is the sentence complete as is?
It’s complete. I stedet can stand alone when the alternative is understood from context (e.g., you just rejected another option). If you want to spell it out, use i stedet for + noun/verb.