Vi tar bussen i stedet.

We take the bus instead.

Breakdown of Vi tar bussen i stedet.

• vi: we
• bussen: the bus
• ta: to take
• i stedet: instead

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.