Norwegian word of the day: Vors
When it’s so expensive to go out, you shouldn’t be surprised that 'vors' is so common in Norway.
What does it mean?
Vors is a slang term and shortening of vorspiel, which means pre-party. So the English equivalent would be pre-drinks/pre's or pre-game, depending on which side of the Atlantic Ocean you hail from.
Vorspiel, or vors now that we’re cool and colloquial, typically refers to drinking or gathering before a social occasion or night out on the town.
Vors is very common before a lot of nights out. If after a night out you want to keep the party going, then you can have a nachspiel (after-party).
The word has its origins in German.
Why do I need to know this?
Not only will it make you sound more like a local when you use it, but the word can also tell us a little about the drinking culture in Norway.
The first thing it tells us is that Norwegians enjoy letting their hair down because they gather and drink to warm up for a night out drinking. Compared to other cultures, Norwegians typically drink less frequently, but they’ll drink quite a lot when they do.
For many, vors isn't just a fun pre-party to meet up to chat over a few drinks or get into the mood for going out, it also serves a more frugal purpose.
Alcohol is expensive in Norway (I’m sure you’ve heard), and a full night out will place a considerable drain on your wallet, which is why people will meet up and drink a bit before they go out to save a bit of money.
Use it like this?
Vi møtes for et vors i huset hans
(We are meeting at his house for pre-drinks)
Kommer du på vors på fredag?
(Are you coming to pre's on Friday?)
Comments
See Also
What does it mean?
Vors is a slang term and shortening of vorspiel, which means pre-party. So the English equivalent would be pre-drinks/pre's or pre-game, depending on which side of the Atlantic Ocean you hail from.
Vorspiel, or vors now that we’re cool and colloquial, typically refers to drinking or gathering before a social occasion or night out on the town.
Vors is very common before a lot of nights out. If after a night out you want to keep the party going, then you can have a nachspiel (after-party).
The word has its origins in German.
Why do I need to know this?
Not only will it make you sound more like a local when you use it, but the word can also tell us a little about the drinking culture in Norway.
The first thing it tells us is that Norwegians enjoy letting their hair down because they gather and drink to warm up for a night out drinking. Compared to other cultures, Norwegians typically drink less frequently, but they’ll drink quite a lot when they do.
For many, vors isn't just a fun pre-party to meet up to chat over a few drinks or get into the mood for going out, it also serves a more frugal purpose.
Alcohol is expensive in Norway (I’m sure you’ve heard), and a full night out will place a considerable drain on your wallet, which is why people will meet up and drink a bit before they go out to save a bit of money.
Use it like this?
Vi møtes for et vors i huset hans
(We are meeting at his house for pre-drinks)
Kommer du på vors på fredag?
(Are you coming to pre's on Friday?)
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.