Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Hold deg rolig mens du venter på bussen.

deg is the object form of du (like me vs I in English). In Hold deg rolig, the verb is affecting you as an object: keep (yourself) calm.
It’s also functioning reflexively here—similar to English yourself, though Norwegian uses the normal object pronoun for this in many common expressions.

Is Hold deg rolig reflexive, and do I always need deg?

It’s reflexive in meaning (you are keeping yourself calm). In this common phrase, deg is normally included:

Hold deg rolig. = Stay calm. You can also hear Hold roen (Keep the calm) in some contexts, but it’s a different wording and feels a bit more “keep your composure.”

Why is it rolig and not rolige?

Because it describes deg (one person) and it’s used like a complement after the verb: hold [someone] [adjective].
rolig is the basic (singular/indefinite) form. rolige would be used for plural or definite contexts, e.g.:

Hold dere rolige! = (You all) stay calm!
De er rolige. = They are calm.

What does mens mean here, and can it mean something else?

Here mens means while (at the same time as).
It can also mean whereas in some contexts (contrast), but in this sentence it’s clearly the time meaning: Stay calm while you wait...

Why is it mens du venter and not mens venter du?

Because after a subordinating conjunction like mens, Norwegian uses subordinate clause word order: subject + verb.

mens du venter (while you wait) ✅
In main clauses/questions you might get inversion, but not here.

What tense is venter, and why is it used?

venter is present tense of å vente (to wait). Norwegian often uses present tense where English also uses present:

mens du venter = while you wait / while you’re waiting
Norwegian doesn’t need a separate continuous form like English are waiting; the present tense covers it.

Why is it venter på—what does på add?

å vente på is the normal verb phrase for to wait for something/someone.

Jeg venter på bussen. = I’m waiting for the bus. Without på, å vente can sound incomplete or can shift toward “wait (in general)” rather than “wait for X.”

Why is it på bussen (the bus) and not på en buss (a bus)?

bussen is the definite form (the bus). In real-life contexts, you often mean a specific bus (the one you plan to take), so Norwegian naturally uses the definite:

bussen = the bus
en buss = a bus (any bus, less specific)

Is på bussen literally “on the bus”? Shouldn’t it be “at the bus”?

In this sentence, på goes with vente på (wait for), so it doesn’t mean physical location. It’s “wait for the bus.”
If you wanted to talk about location, you’d typically use:

på bussholdeplassen = at the bus stop

How would I say this to more than one person?

Use dere (you plural) and match the adjective:

Hold dere rolige mens dere venter på bussen. = Stay calm (all of you) while you wait for the bus.

Is this sentence polite, rude, or neutral?

It’s a direct imperative, so it can sound firm—like English Stay calm. Whether it feels rude depends on tone and situation. To soften it, you can add things like:

Prøv å holde deg rolig ... = Try to stay calm ...
Bare hold deg rolig ... = Just stay calm ... (often reassuring)

Any pronunciation tips for tricky parts?

A few common points:

deg often sounds like dæi (varies by dialect), not a clear “deg” as spelled.
rolig: stress on the first syllable (RO-), final -g is often very soft or barely pronounced in many dialects.
bussen: double s gives a short vowel: bus-sen.