Han tar fagbrev mens han jobber på fabrikkgulvet.

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Breakdown of Han tar fagbrev mens han jobber på fabrikkgulvet.

• jobbe: to work
• på: on
• mens: while

Questions & Answers about Han tar fagbrev mens han jobber på fabrikkgulvet.

What does tar mean in Han tar fagbrev? I thought ta means “take”.

Literally, å ta does mean “to take”, but in Norwegian it’s also used for doing / completing / getting certain kinds of education or qualifications.

Some common patterns:

• ta fagbrev – do / work towards / get a vocational certificate
• ta eksamen – take an exam
• ta mastergrad – do a master’s degree
• ta kurs – take a course

So Han tar fagbrev is best understood as “He is doing/working towards a vocational certificate” or “He is getting his trade certificate”, not “He is taking a certificate in his hand.”

What exactly is a fagbrev? Is it like a degree?

A fagbrev is a vocational trade certificate in a specific craft or profession, usually after an apprenticeship. Examples:

• electrician
• plumber
• carpenter
• industrial mechanic

It is:

• normally at upper secondary level (not a university degree)
• an official proof that you’re fully qualified in that trade

So it’s more like “an official trade qualification / journeyman’s certificate” than an academic degree.

Is tar fagbrev something he is doing right now, or just a general fact? There’s no -ing form in Norwegian.