Kjøpe

Kjøpe is a Norwegian verb meaning to obtain goods or services in exchange for money. It is a transitive verb used with a direct object, as in Jeg kjøper melk or De kjøpte en bil. The infinitive is å kjøpe. In present tense the form is kjøper (jeg kjøper, du kjøper, han kjøper). The preterite is kjøpte, and the past participle is kjøpt. The imperative form is kjøp. The verb also forms compound tenses with auxiliary verbs, for example har kjøpt (have bought) and skal kjøpe (will buy).

Etymology and cognates: Kjøpe comes from Old Norse kaupa, and is cognate with the Danish købe and the Swedish köpa. The Norwegian form reflects regular phonological changes in the language family, with the kj- cluster representing a palatalized onset common in West Nordic languages. The root is part of a broader Proto-Germanic heritage related to acquiring or purchasing in several Germanic languages.

Usage and nuance: Kjøpe covers everyday purchases as well as formal procurement. It appears in a wide range of contexts, from consumer shopping to business and negotiation. Common constructions include kjøpe noe for (buy something for) and phrases such as å kjøpe inn (to purchase stock or supplies). While the basic forms are regular in modern Norwegian, the past tense kjøpte and past participle kjøpt reflect historical irregularities common to the verb’s conjugation. The term is versatile, with synonyms and related expressions used in more formal contexts, such as anskaffe (to acquire) or innkjøp (procurement).