Pokker
What does Pokker mean? Pokker is a Norwegian mild that translates to “damn / darn / heck” in English.
Literal Translation
smallpox / the pox
Meaning & Usage
"damn / darn / heck"
A mild expletive historically derived from 'smallpox' (a dread disease). Now completely detached from its origin and used as a light curse word.
Examples in the Wild
Hva pokker gjør du her? (What the heck are you doing here?) | Pokker! (Damn!)
When to Use It
Context
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- As a spontaneous exclamation
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
Often used in Norwegian subtitle translations of foreign films because it's inoffensive enough but still technically a swear word. Its mildness can have an unintentionally comic effect in real speech.
More in Norwegian 🇳🇴
View all →Faen
“fuck / damn”
The most versatile and frequently used Norwegian swear word. Used to express frustration, anger, surprise, or as a general intensifier. Derived from 'fanden' (the devil).
Hore
“whore / hooker”
A direct and offensive term for a sex worker or sexually promiscuous person.
Fjott
“fool / dummy”
A light insult primarily used to call someone foolish or slow-witted.
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.