Vi møtes etter prøven.

We meet after the test.

Breakdown of Vi møtes etter prøven.

• vi: we
• etter: after
• møtes: to meet
• prøven: the test

Questions & Answers about Vi møtes etter prøven.

Why is it møtes and not møter?

Because the -s form expresses reciprocal action. Vi møtes literally means “we meet each other.” The plain present møter is transitive and normally takes an object: Vi møter læreren (We meet the teacher). If you want the reciprocal meaning with the plain verb, you must add hverandre: Vi møter hverandre etter prøven.

Is Vi møter hverandre etter prøven also correct? How does it differ from Vi møtes etter prøven?

Yes, it’s correct. Both mean the same thing. Vi møtes is shorter and very common; Vi møter hverandre is more explicit. In everyday speech and writing, Vi møtes is the default.

Can I say Vi møter etter prøven to mean “We’ll meet after the test”?

Not by itself. møte without an object sounds incomplete. Use either:

• Vi møtes etter prøven (reciprocal -s form), or
• Vi møter hverandre etter prøven. Note: møte opp means “to show up/attend,” e.g., Vi møter opp klokka tre.

Does the present tense møtes refer to the future here?

Yes. Norwegian often uses the simple present for future plans when there’s a time expression: Vi møtes etter prøven = “We’ll meet after the test.”

If I want to stress that it’s arranged, can I say Vi skal møtes etter prøven?

Yes. skal adds a sense of plan/arrangement. You can also say Vi kommer til å møtes etter prøven (more of a prediction). All three are fine; the original present tense is very natural.

Can I front the time phrase? Is Etter prøven møtes vi correct?

Yes. That’s good Norwegian. When you front an adverbial like Etter prøven, the finite verb still takes the second position (V2): Etter prøven møtes vi.

Why is it the definite form prøven and not just prøve?

Because you’re referring to a specific test. Norwegian typically uses the definite form for a specific, known event: etter prøven = “after the test.” Saying etter prøve is not idiomatic. (Some time expressions like etter jul, etter middag can drop the article, but prøve doesn’t usually work that way.)

What’s the difference between etter and etterpå?

• etter is a preposition and takes a complement: etter prøven, etter møtet.
• etterpå is an adverb and stands alone: Vi møtes etterpå = “We’ll meet afterwards.” If you want to name what comes after, use etter
  • noun; if not, use etterpå.

When do I use etter at?

Use etter at before a full clause:

• Vi møtes etter at prøven er ferdig. Don’t say “etter at” + noun. With a noun, use plain etter: etter prøven.

How do I make it negative or add adverbs?

Place the negation/adverb after the verb in main clauses:

• Vi møtes ikke etter prøven.
• Vi møtes kanskje etter prøven. If you front the time phrase: Etter prøven møtes vi ikke/kanskje.

How do I say “We met after the test” (past)?

• Vi møttes etter prøven. (preterite of møtes)
• Or with the plain verb + reciprocal: Vi møtte hverandre etter prøven.

How do I say “We have met before”?

• Vi har møttes før.
• Or: Vi har møtt hverandre før. Both are common and idiomatic.

Pronunciation tips for møtes and prøven?

• ø is a rounded front vowel (like the vowel in French “deux”). Round your lips as for “oo” but say “eh.”
• møtes ≈ [MEU-tehs] (first syllable stressed; final -s pronounced).
• prøven ≈ [PREU-ven] (stress on the first syllable).

Can I drop the subject Vi?

In standard sentences, no—Norwegian needs the subject: Vi møtes... In casual texts or headings, people may omit it: Møtes etter prøven? But that’s elliptical/informal.

Are there alternatives to møtes?

Yes:

• Vi treffes etter prøven. (from treffe “to meet/encounter”)
• Vi ses/Vi sees etter prøven. (“see each other”)
• For “talk later”: Vi snakkes etter prøven. All are natural; møtes is the most neutral for “meet.”

Is prøve masculine or feminine? Why do I sometimes see prøva?

In Bokmål, prøve can be masculine or feminine:

• Masculine: en prøve – prøven
• Feminine: ei prøve – prøva Both are correct; just be consistent within a text. In Nynorsk you’d see prøva and møtest: Vi møtest etter prøva.

Can I use eksamen or test instead of prøve?

• prøve = test/quiz (general).
• eksamen = formal exam. You can say etter eksamen (very common without the article) or etter eksamenen (specific).
• test is also used, especially in informal or technical contexts: etter testen.