Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Ikke gi opp bare fordi du er trøtt; vi kan ta en pause og fortsette etterpå. - Don’t give up just because you’re tired; we can take a break and continue afterwards.

Ikke gi opp bare fordi du er trøtt; vi kan ta en pause og fortsette etterpå.

Don’t give up just because you’re tired; we can take a break and continue afterwards.

Breakdown of Ikke gi opp bare fordi du er trøtt; vi kan ta en pause og fortsette etterpå.

Questions & Answers about Ikke gi opp bare fordi du er trøtt; vi kan ta en pause og fortsette etterpå.

Why does the sentence start with Ikke?

Because it’s a negative command (a negative imperative). In Norwegian, you typically form a negative imperative by putting ikke before the verb:

Gi opp! = Give up!
Ikke gi opp! = Don’t give up!

Is gi opp one verb or two words? What does opp do?

It’s a verb + particle combination (often called a phrasal verb in English terms): å gi opp. The particle opp is essential to the meaning; gi alone usually means give (as in give something to someone), but gi opp means give up / quit.

Why is there no å before gi and fortsette?