verbB1
Passiv form (bli-passiv og s-passiv)
[Passive Voice (Bli-Passive and S-Passive)]The passive voice is used when the action or result is more relevant than the agent. Norwegian has two passive forms: bli-passive (specific events) and s-passive (rules, instructions, after modals).
1. The Two Types of Passive Voice
Passive Type
Bli-passiv
Formation
bli (i rett tid) + partisipp(bli (in matching tense) + past participle)
Primary Use Case
Konkrete, enkeltstående handlinger og dynamiske hendelser(Specific, one-time dynamic actions)
Example (with translation)
Bilen ble reparert av mekanikeren i går.(The car was repaired by the mechanic yesterday.)
Passive Type
S-passiv
Formation
verb-stamme + -s (eller etter modalverb)(verb stem + -s (or after modal verbs))
Primary Use Case
Generelle regler, oppskrifter, instruksjoner og etter modalverb(General rules, recipes, instructions, after modals)
Example (with translation)
Døren må lukkes etter bruk.(The door must be closed after use.)
| Passive Type | Formation | Primary Use Case | Example (with translation) |
|---|---|---|---|
Bli-passiv | bli (i rett tid) + partisippbli (in matching tense) + past participle | Konkrete, enkeltstående handlinger og dynamiske hendelserSpecific, one-time dynamic actions | Bilen ble reparert av mekanikeren i går.The car was repaired by the mechanic yesterday. |
S-passiv | verb-stamme + -s (eller etter modalverb)verb stem + -s (or after modal verbs) | Generelle regler, oppskrifter, instruksjoner og etter modalverbGeneral rules, recipes, instructions, after modals | Døren må lukkes etter bruk.The door must be closed after use. |
2. Bli-Passive Across Tenses
Tense
Presens
Active Form (with translation)
Mekanikeren reparerer bilen.(The mechanic repairs the car.)
Bli-Passive Form (with translation)
Bilen blir reparert.(The car is being repaired.)
Aspect / Meaning
Handlingen pågår akkurat nå (i sanntid)(Action happening right now)
Tense
Preteritum
Active Form (with translation)
Mekanikeren reparerte bilen.(The mechanic repaired the car.)
Bli-Passive Form (with translation)
Bilen ble reparert.(The car was repaired.)
Aspect / Meaning
Konkret hendelse avsluttet i fortid(Specific event completed in the past)
Tense
Presens perfektum
Active Form (with translation)
Mekanikeren har reparert bilen.(The mechanic has repaired the car.)
Bli-Passive Form (with translation)
Bilen har blitt reparert.(The car has been repaired.)
Aspect / Meaning
Handlingen er fullført med resultat i nåtid(Action completed with present result)
| Tense | Active Form (with translation) | Bli-Passive Form (with translation) | Aspect / Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
Presens | Mekanikeren reparerer bilen.The mechanic repairs the car. | Bilen blir reparert.The car is being repaired. | Handlingen pågår akkurat nå (i sanntid)Action happening right now |
Preteritum | Mekanikeren reparerte bilen.The mechanic repaired the car. | Bilen ble reparert.The car was repaired. | Konkret hendelse avsluttet i fortidSpecific event completed in the past |
Presens perfektum | Mekanikeren har reparert bilen.The mechanic has repaired the car. | Bilen har blitt reparert.The car has been repaired. | Handlingen er fullført med resultat i nåtidAction completed with present result |
3. S-Passive in Practice (Rules & Guidelines)
Examples:
Søknaden må sendes inn innen 1. mai. (etter modalverb 'må')The application must be submitted by May 1st.
Kaken stekes ved 180 grader i 30 minutter. (i en oppskrift)The cake is baked at 180 degrees for 30 minutes.
Røyking forbys på hele stasjonsområdet. (på offentlige skilt)Smoking is prohibited across the entire station area.
To specify the agent in a passive sentence, use the preposition 'av': 'Boka ble skrevet av Jo Nesbø.'