Norwegian · Travel & Places
By
City / Town
Beginnernoun · masculine
Definition
A place where many people live and work.
Example
Oslo er Norges største by.
Oslo is Norway's biggest city.
Etymology
'By' comes from the Old Norse word 'býr', which originally meant 'farmstead' or 'settlement'. Over time, it has evolved to refer more broadly to urban areas in modern Norwegian.
How & Where It’s Used
'By' is used in both spoken and written contexts, with a neutral or informal tone. It's a versatile term for cities or towns across Norway, although certain regions might have specific terms for their localities.