Vowels

The Norwegian alphabet has nine vowels. These are: A, E, I, O, U, Y, Æ, Ø, Å.

There are two types of Norwegian vowels; vowels that are short and vowels that are long.

Explaination:

Take the words "tak"(roof) and "takk" (thank you). "Tak" has a long vowel, because it DOESN'T end with two K's (a double consonant). The word "takk" has a short vowel, because it DOES end with a double consonant. This can be applied to most Norwegian words:
hat (hatred) - hatt (hat)
dit (there) - ditt (yours)

Some words cannot end with a double consonant, for example "rom"(room). Eventhough it ends with a single consonant, it still has a short vowel. Other examples of words ending with a single consonant, but has a short vowel are "han"(he), "hun"(she) and "den"(it)

Another thing to remember are words that doesn't end with a consontant at all. As a general rule, these vowels are long. For example "gi"(give), "si"(say), "ti"(ten), "se"(see) etc.

This may look difficult right now, but don't worry, it will make sense after a while.

Here are some exercises with sound. Try reading them out loud:

A - long vowel  - pronounced like a in father - "hat" (hatred)
A - short vowel - pronounced like a in father - "hatt" (hat)

E - long vowel - pronounced like ai in air - "sted" (place)
E - short vowel - pronounced like e in bed - "sett" (seen)

I - long vowel - pronounced like ee in sheep - "dit" (there)
I - short vowel - pronounced like i in kiss - "ditt" (yours)

O - long vowel - pronounced like o in lose - "kos" (hug)
O - short vowel - pronounced like o in stock - "kokk" (chef)

U - long vowel - pronounced like ue in cue - "kul" (cool)
U - short vowel - pronounced like u in Hull - "hull" (hole)

Y - long vowel - pronounced like ee(w. rounded lips) - "by" (city)
Y - short vowel - pronounced like ee(w. rounded lips) - "kyss" (kiss)

Æ - long vowel - pronounced like a in cat - "lære" (learn)
Æ - short vowel - pronounced like a in cat - "lærd" (learned)

Ø - long vowel - pronounced like ir in bird - "dør" (door)
Ø - short vowel - pronounced like ir in bird - "dødt" (dead)

Å - long vowel - pronounced like aw in awful - "gå" (go/walk)
Å - short vowel - pronounced like o in hot - "åtte" (eight)