tjene

Tjene is a Norwegian verb with two core meanings: to earn money and to serve or perform duties. In everyday use it can describe gaining income, as well as fulfilling obligations or providing service. The word has cognates in other North Germanic languages, such as Swedish tjäna and Danish tjene.

Usage notes include both earnings and service. Common constructions are tjene penger or tjene inn penger for earning income, and tjene til livets opphold meaning to earn a living. The phrase tjene landet is used in the sense of serving one’s country, for example when referring to military service or public duty. In addition, tjene is used more broadly to indicate being of use or performing work for someone, as in service to customers or clients.

Grammatical overview: the infinitive is tjene; present tense is tjener; past tense is tjente; supine form is tjent. The perfect tense is formed with har or hadde + tjent, as in jeg har tjent mye penger. In standard Norwegian, the forms are regular across Bokmål; usage may vary slightly in informal speech or specific dialects.

Etymology and related forms: tjene derives from Proto-Germanic roots common to North Germanic languages, with direct cognates in Danish and Swedish. This shared lineage explains the close parallel forms and meanings across these languages, including the sense of earning or serving. Overall, tjene remains a versatile verb prevalent in economic, civic, and everyday contexts.