Det var som faen
What does Det var som faen mean? Det var som faen is a Norwegian moderate that translates to “well I'll be damned / holy shit” in English.
Literal Translation
it was like the Devil
Meaning & Usage
"well I'll be damned / holy shit"
An expression of astonishment or impressed disbelief at something surprising.
Examples in the Wild
Det var som faen, det gikk faktisk bra! (Well I'll be damned, it actually went well!)
When to Use It
Context
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- As a spontaneous exclamation
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Around religious or conservative communities
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
Despite the literal meaning, it more commonly conveys wide-eyed surprise rather than anything sinister.
More in Norwegian 🇳🇴
View all →Jævlig
“fucking / terrible / amazingly”
Functions as both a negative descriptor ('that was terrible') and a positive intensifier ('that was fucking great'). Derived from 'jævel' (the devil).
Jævel
“bastard / son of a bitch”
The noun form. Used to call someone a 'devil', 'bastard', or unpleasant person. Can also express admiration at recklessness.
Ræva
“shitty / terrible”
Used as an adjective to describe something terrible, low-quality, or worthless. Derived from 'ræv' (butt).
Faen meg
“fucking / I swear to God”
Used for emphasis or to stress the absurdity of a situation. Difficult to translate directly but acts as an intensifier expressing exasperation or disbelief.
Helvete
“hell / fucking hell”
Used as a standalone exclamation of extreme frustration, or in phrases meaning 'go to hell'. Carries slightly more weight than its English counterpart.
Faen ta deg
“fuck you”
A direct verbal attack on another person. Rooted in the old curse of wishing the Devil would claim someone's soul.
Drit og dra
“fuck off / get lost”
Used to aggressively dismiss someone and tell them to go away.
Søren
“darn / shoot”
A very mild softened substitute for stronger curses like 'faen' or 'satan'. Expresses mild frustration without offending anyone.