The difference between "hvis" and "om" (and "dersom")

These words can both mean “if”. If you’re not sure which one to use: “om” can always be used. But Norwegians tend to use “hvis” whenever that word can be used, so it’s good to learn how to use it anyway.

Let’s have a look at how the word “if” is used.

1. In hypothetical sentences:

   “Jeg blir glad hvis jeg får sjokoladekake.”

   (I become happy if I get chocolate cake.)

   Here “if” introduces a hypothesis and both “hvis” and “om” can be used, but “hvis” is the most common to use. In hypothetical sentences you will have an hypothesis, something that is not certain (for instance: I get chocolate cake) and a consequence (I become happy) or a condition (I must finish my vegetables first). “Dersom” is a more formal way of saying”hvis” and can also be used.

2. In yes/no indirect questions.

   A yes/no question is a question that requires a yes or a no as an answer, and it does not have a question word (how, when, where …). When you make an indirect question from a question with a question word, the question word becomes a connecting word between the main sentence and the subordinate clause (the part where the question is).

   “Hvor går du? -> jeg vet ikke hvor du går.

   (where do you go? -> I do not know where you are going.)

   Basically what happens in Norwegian is that the question word falls in between the question phrase and the new phrase you add in the beginning. (And the inversion disappears in the question.)

   But when you start with a question without a question word, you lack this connecting word to put between these sentences. That’s why we need a new word: if. In this case, we can only use “om” in Norwegian.

   “Blir det fint vær?” (direct question)

   “Jeg vet ikke om det blir fint vær.” (indirect question).

(Will there be nice weather?

I don’t know if there will be nice weather.)

I hope it’s clearer now!

Gi beskjed hvis/om du har noen spørsmål. :)

Silje