vann

Estonian

Etymology

Borrowed from German Wanne (“tub”), from Middle High German wanne, from Old High German wanna (“tub”), from Latin vannus (“a winnowing basket”), from Proto-Italic *watnos, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂weh₁- (“to blow”).

Noun

vann (genitive vanni, partitive vanni)

1. bath, bathtub

Declension

Declension of vann (ÕS type 22e/riik, length gradation)
		singular	plural
nominative		vann	vannid
accusative	nom.
	gen.	vanni
genitive			vannide
partitive		vanni	vanne vannisid
illative		vanni vannisse	vannidesse vannesse
inessive		vannis	vannides vannes
elative		vannist	vannidest vannest
allative		vannile	vannidele vannele
adessive		vannil	vannidel vannel
ablative		vannilt	vannidelt vannelt
translative		vanniks	vannideks vanneks
terminative		vannini	vannideni
essive		vannina	vannidena
abessive		vannita	vannideta
comitative		vanniga	vannidega

Haitian Creole

Etymology

From French vendre (“to sell”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /vãn/

Verb

vann

1. (transitive) to sell

Related terms

• vandè

References

• Targète, Jean; Urciolo, Raphael (1993), Haitian Creole-English Dictionary‎^[1], Dunwoody Press, →ISBN, page 198

Livonian

Verb

vann

1. Salaca form of vannõ

References

• Andreas Johan Sjögren, Ferdinand Johann Wiedemann (1861), Livisch-deutsches und deutsch-livisches Wörterbuch
• Pajusalu, Karl & Winkler, Eberhard, Salis-livisches Wörterbuch (2009). Eesti Teaduste Akadeemia. Tallinn.

Mauritian Creole

Verb

vann

1. Medial form of vande

Norwegian Bokmål

A drop of water.

A lake in Norway.

Alternative forms

• vatn (noun)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʋanː/, [ʋanː]

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -anː
• Homophone: vann-
• Hyphenation: vann

Etymology 1

Inherited from Danish vand (“water”), from Old Danish watn (“water”), also attested as wadn and wand, corresponding to Old Norse vatn (“water”), from Proto-Germanic *watōr (“water”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wódr̥ (“water”), from the root *wed- (“water; wet”).

The alternative form vatn (“water”) more directly continues Old Norse vatn in Norwegian. The compound-initial form vass- (“water-”) continues Old Norse vaz, the genitive of vatn, while vann- (“water-”) is based on the modern Bokmål form.

Compare Norwegian Nynorsk vatn, Danish vand, Swedish vatten, Icelandic vatn and vatn, English water, Dutch water, German Wasser and Gothic 𐍅𐌰𐍄𐍉 (watō, “water”).

Noun

vann n (definite singular vannet, indefinite plural vann, definite plural vanna or vannene)

1. (chemistry, usually uncountable) water; the chemical compound H₂O, especially as a clear, colourless and odourless liquid
   • traditional, Ordspråkene [Proverbs], 30:4:

     hvem lukket vannet inne i kappen sin?

     who enclosed the water in his cloak?

   • traditional, 2 Samuelsbok [Second Book of Samuel], 14:14:

     vi må alle dø. Vi er lik vann som helles ut på jorden og ikke kan øses opp igjen

     we must all die. We are like water poured onto the ground, which cannot be gathered up again

   • traditional, Jakobs brev [Epistle of James], 3:12:

     kan vel et fikentre bære oliven eller en vinstokk bære fiken? Like lite kan en salt kilde gi friskt vann

     can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water

   • 1893, Jonas Lie, Niobe, page 201:

     det sikre skryt, – hun saa igjennem det som vand

     the confident boasting—she saw through it as though it were water

   • 1911, Olaf Benneche, Rygnestadgutten, page 71:

     Aasmund heldte atter vatn paa ovnen

     Aasmund again poured water onto the stove

   • 1933, Sigurd Hoel, Veien til verdens ende, page 40:

     [jeg] helte litt vatten i skoa hennes

     [I] poured a little water into her shoes

   • 1951, Eiliv Skard, Filosofien i oldtiden, page 25:

     [Thales mente at] vannet er urstoffet til alt som eksisterer

     [Thales believed that] water is the primordial substance of everything that exists

   • 2001, Jo Nesbø, Karusellmusikk, page 109:

     blodet spiste seg oppover skjorta til Karl, som fukten på en avis i en bøtte vann

     the blood ate its way up Karl's shirt like moisture through a newspaper in a bucket of water

   • 2004, Runo Isaksen, Stylitten, page 171:

     ingenting gror uten vann

     nothing grows without water

   1. water resulting from rain, melting, spilling or a similar process
      • traditional, Dommerne [Book of Judges], 5:4:

        skyene dryppet av vann

        the clouds dripped water

      • 1928, Jens Hagerup, Juvi, page 135:

        det er akkurat som han smiler da han stryker vatnet av armene

        it is almost as though he smiles as he wipes the water from his arms

      • 1937, Oskar Braaten, Fugleburet, page 150:

        ute regner det så det høljer, vannet fosser gjennem vassrenna

        outside it is pouring with rain; the water gushes through the gutter

      • 2001, Toril Brekke, Sara, page 24:

        vannet rant av ham, av håret og klærne

        the water ran off him, from his hair and clothes

   2. water which enters, leaks into or is kept out of something
      • 1907, Sigrid Undset, Fru Marta Oulie, page 45:

        [jeg] fik foden opi et myrhul og vandet løb ind over støvlekanten

        [I] stepped into a bog hole and the water ran in over the top of my boot

      • 2004, Kristine Næss, Stridig, page 27:

        skoene trekker vann … og hun fryser

        the shoes absorb water … and she is cold

2. a natural body of water or expanse of water, such as a sea, fjord, river or lake
   • traditional, 1 Mosebok [Genesis], 1:9:

     Gud sa: «Vannet under himmelen skal samle seg på ett sted! Det tørre landet skal komme til syne.»

     God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered into one place, and let dry ground appear.”

   • Johan Sebastian Welhaven, Samlede Digterverker, volume II, page 145:

     [flyvefisken] vil op over vandets flade

     [the flying fish] wants to rise above the surface of the water

   • Henrik Wergeland, Cantate:

     solen fra østens tinde glider, som Freya paa vandets speil

     the sun glides from the eastern summit like Freyja upon the mirror of the water

   • 1859, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Ja, vi elsker dette landet:

     ja, vi elsker dette landet, som det stiger frem, furet, vejrbidt over vandet

     yes, we love this country as it rises, rugged and weather-beaten, above the water

   • 1888, Henrik Ibsen, Fruen fra havet, page 41:

     jeg lå så længe i det iskolde vandet

     I lay for so long in the ice-cold water

   • 1888, Henrik Ibsen, Fruen fra havet, page 24:

     var vandet bra friskt idag?

     was the water pleasantly cool today?

   • 1907, Naturen, page 210:

     lands og vands fordeling paa jordens overflade har vekslet betydeligt under alle geologiske perioder

     the distribution of land and water on the Earth's surface has varied considerably throughout every geological period

   • 1926, Mikkjel Fønhus, Reinsbukken på Jotunfjell, page 36:

     vinterisen fra ifjor lå og skvalpet i vatnet

     last year's winter ice lay bobbing in the water

   • 2001, Toril Brekke, Sara, page 35:

     han skjøv årene ned i vannet

     he pushed the oars down into the water

   1. the quantity, level or depth of water in a river, lake, sea or similar body of water
      • traditional, 1 Mosebok [Genesis], 7:17:

        vannet steg og løftet arken

        the water rose and lifted the ark

      • traditional, 1 Mosebok [Genesis], 8:1:

        Gud lot en vind blåse over jorden, og vannet begynte å synke

        God sent a wind over the earth, and the water began to recede

      • 1875, Henrik Ibsen, Digte, page 90:

        under to fod vand er der bund

        beneath two feet of water there is a bottom

      • 1888, Herman Colditz, Kjærka, page 46:

        gjælden omkring ham hadde steget og steget – som vandet i syndeflodens dage

        the debt surrounding him had risen and risen—like the water in the days of the Flood

      • 1931, Edvard Bull Sr., Oslos historie, page 5:

        sjøen stod meget høiere [før landhevningen]; det aller meste av byen lå under vann

        the sea stood much higher [before the land uplift]; most of the city was under water

      • 1995, Mari Osmundsen, Sju sannferdige fortellinger, page 36:

        en stor demning skulle bygges, og hele dalen settes under vann

        a large dam was to be built, and the entire valley flooded

      • 2002, Vera Henriksen, Ildens sang, page 526:

        det var lite vann i elven nå

        there was little water in the river now

   2. (poetic, in the plural) waters; a large expanse or mass of water
      • traditional, 1 Mosebok [Genesis], 1:2:

        jorden var øde og tom, mørke lå over dypet, og Guds ånd svevde over vannet

        the earth was formless and empty, darkness lay over the deep, and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters

      • traditional, 1 Mosebok [Genesis], 1:6:

        Gud sa: «Det bli en hvelving midt i vannet! Den skal skille vann fra vann.»

        God said, “Let there be a vault amid the waters to separate water from water.”

      • Johan Sebastian Welhaven, Samlede Digterverker, volume II, page 140:

        da hørte han suk fra de dybe vande

        then he heard sighs from the deep waters

      • Henrik Wergeland, Samlede Skrifter, volume I, page 304:

        liig vor klode, da den vandene forlode

        like our globe when the waters departed from it

      • 1875, Henrik Ibsen, Digte, page 155:

        som ånden over vandene aned jeg en mening dulgt

        like the spirit over the waters, I sensed a hidden meaning

      • 1858, Henrik Ibsen, Hærmændene på Helgeland, published 1873, page 14:

        derude på de blå vande

        out there upon the blue waters

      • 1895, Henrik Ibsen, Lille Eyolf, page 34:

        [rottene] følger os ud på dybets vande

        [the rats] follow us out upon the waters of the deep

      1. (biblical, figurative) danger, distress or overwhelming adversity
         • traditional, Salmene [Psalms], 88:18:

           de [Herrens redsler] er omkring meg som vann hele dagen

           they [the terrors of the Lord] surround me like water all day long

         • traditional, Jesaja [Isaiah], 43:2:

           går du gjennom vann, er jeg [Herren] med deg, gjennom elver, skal de ikke flomme over deg

           when you pass through the waters, I [the Lord] will be with you; the rivers will not sweep over you

         • traditional, Salmene [Psalms], 69:15:

           redd meg fra å synke i gjørmen, redd meg fra dem som hater meg, fra det dype vannet!

           save me from sinking in the mud; save me from those who hate me and from the deep waters!

         • 1873, Henrik Ibsen, Kejser og Galilæer, page 34:

           ikke lide på de troløse vande

           not suffer upon the treacherous waters

   3. water moving in an underground course, current, stream or wave
      • traditional, 1 Mosebok [Genesis], 26:19:

        da slavene til Isak holdt på å grave i dalen, fant de en kilde med rennende vann

        when Isaac's servants were digging in the valley, they found a spring of flowing water

      • traditional, Salmene [Psalms], 58:8:

        la [de urettferdige] bli borte slik vann renner vekk!

        let [the wicked] vanish like water that flows away!

      • traditional, 1 Mosebok [Genesis], 49:4:

        du [Ruben] bruser over som vannet

        you [Reuben] surge like water

      • Johan Sebastian Welhaven, Samlede Digterverker, volume III, page 247:

        overstænkes af bistert brusende vand tilfjelds

        splashed by fiercely rushing water in the mountains

      • Sigrid Undset, Samlede romaner og fortællinger fra nutiden, volume II, 1, page 62:

        vandet duret og dundret nedenfor stien

        the water roared and thundered below the path

      • 1908, Peter Egge, Lænken, page 40:

        stien, som slynger sig langs det syngende vand

        the path winding along the singing water

      • 1919, Kristian Elster d.y., Av Skyggernes Slegt, page 92:

        «Jeg har gravet en grøft», sa han, «vatnet gaar utenom …»

        “I have dug a ditch,” he said; “the water goes around it …”

   4. (literary, in the plural) flowing or flooding masses of water; floodwaters
      • 1844, Johan Sebastian Welhaven, Elveløbet:

        min sjæl har fulgt med vandenes gang og bævet som elvens flade

        my soul has followed the course of the waters and trembled like the surface of the river

      • Johan Sebastian Welhaven, Samlede Digterverker, volume II, page 296:

        om vaaren, naar alle vande gaae fra søer og jøkelfjelde

        in spring, when all the waters flow from lakes and glaciers

      • Johan Sebastian Welhaven, Samlede Digterverker, volume II, page 297:

        man fandt hans lig mellem gruus og steen, henbaaret af vilde vande

        his body was found among gravel and stones, carried there by wild waters

      • 1875, Henrik Ibsen, Digte, page 154:

        flodens vande

        the waters of the river

      • 1867, Henrik Ibsen, Peer Gynt, published 1874, page 146:

        et gennembrudd blot, en kanal, – som en livsensflod vilde vandene skylle ind gennem svælget og ørken fylde

        only a breach, a canal—the waters would surge through the gorge like a river of life and fill the desert

      • 1919, Nils Collett Vogt, Digte i utvalg, page 82:

        [de] drak av stride vande

        [they] drank from turbulent waters

      • Sigrid Undset, Samlede romaner og fortællinger fra nutiden, volume II, 2, page 5:

        lyd av rindende vande

        the sound of flowing waters

      • 1925, Sigrid Undset, Olav Audunssøn i Hestviken, volume I, page 194:

        det var som alle vande slog sammen over hende

        it was as though all the waters closed over her

      • 1902, Jacob Breda Bull, Fonnaasfolket, page 12:

        om en stund sank vandene

        after a while, the waters subsided

      • 1945, Arnulf Øverland, Vi overlever alt, page 93:

        vannene bruser og strømmer

        the waters roar and flow

   5. the surface of a body of water
      • Henrik Wergeland, Samlede Skrifter, volume I, page 27:

        jeg vil og juble, naar Stella er glad, liig svanen paa vandet

        I too shall rejoice when Stella is happy, like the swan upon the water

      • 1869, Henrik Ibsen, De unges forbund, published 1874, page 228:

        han er falsk, som skum på vand

        he is false, like foam upon water

      • 1934, Gisken Wildenvey, Andrine og Kjell, page 196:

        Kjell forteller om fuglene, både de som flyter på vatn og de som har reir rundt omkring

        Kjell talks about the birds, both those floating on the water and those nesting nearby

      • 2000, Tove Nilsen, Etter Kairo:

        man kunne holde pusten under vann mye lenger enn man trodde

        one could hold one's breath under water much longer than one thought

      • 2001, Lars Saabye Christensen, Halvbroren, page 244:

        isfjellene kan være hundre meter høye. Men de delene som er under vannet er ni ganger så store

        icebergs can be a hundred metres high, but the parts beneath the water are nine times as large

      • 2008, Tom Kristensen, Dragen:

        han sto … og stirret på alle båtene som speilte seg i det blikkstille vannet

        he stood … staring at all the boats reflected in the perfectly still water

   6. (countable) a body of fresh water surrounded by land; a lake, especially a relatively small one

      Synonym: innsjø

      • Henrik Wergeland, Cantate:

        Venskab er skjønt, som himmelblaae vande

        friendship is beautiful, like sky-blue lakes

      • Andreas Munch, Samlede Skrifter, volume I, page 115:

        [et] av disse dybe, stille vande, der ligger som et øie blankt af graad, imellem Norges fjelde

        [one] of these deep, still lakes, lying like a tear-bright eye among Norway's mountains

      • 1873, Henrik Ibsen, Kejser og Galilæer, page 478:

        et mørkt, stillestående vand

        a dark, stagnant lake

      • 1920, Sigrid Undset, Kransen, page 24:

        et vand længer inde paa fjeldet

        a lake farther into the mountains

      • 1919, Carl Schøyen, Tre stammers møte, page 170:

        henimot kveld kom han gjennem en vakker furuskog ned mot vatnet

        towards evening he passed through a beautiful pine forest down towards the lake

      • 1928, Jens Hagerup, Juvi, page 49:

        ingen fisket i vatnet, og ingen jaget i skogen

        no one fished in the lake, and no one hunted in the forest

      • 1926, Mikkjel Fønhus, Reinsbukken på Jotunfjell, page 7:

        en slak skråning mellem fjell og vatn

        a gentle slope between the mountain and the lake

      • 1937, Tidens Tegn, number 167, page 9, column 1:

        vatn efter vatn, de blinker dernede så tett efter hverandre at vi hele tiden vet at flyvebåten når som helst kan ta vannet

        lake after lake glitters below, so close together that we know the flying boat can alight at any moment

      • 1947, Nordahl Grieg, Veien frem, page 131:

        det finnes selvsagt en rekke … islagte vann hvor et fly kan gå ned

        there are naturally numerous … frozen lakes on which an aeroplane can land

      • 1979, Guttorm Hansen, Fjellets lasso rundt mitt hjerte, page 74:

        temminck-snipa hekker i vierkrattene ved vatna

        Temminck's stint nests in the willow thickets beside the lakes

      • 2001, Jo Nesbø, Karusellmusikk, page 116:

        etter en halv times kjøring kom vi til en liten hytte ved et vann

        after half an hour's drive, we reached a small cabin beside a lake

      • 2004, Toril Brekke, Bergskatt, page 41:

        [han merket] ingen sug gjennom morgendis og fra dype vann, fra nøkk eller annet av ufolk

        [he felt] no pull through the morning mist or from deep lakes, from water spirits or other supernatural beings

      • 2006, Tallak Moland, Historien om Nordmarka, page 174:

        Oslomarkas fiskeadministrasjon … forvalter fiskerettigheter over vannene sør for Gjerdingen

        the Oslo Forest fishing administration … manages fishing rights in the lakes south of Gjerdingen

      • 2022, Lars Elling, Fyrstene av Finntjern, page 164:

        et av de mange vannene som heter Aurtjern

        one of the many lakes called Aurtjern

3. water used for a particular practical purpose
   1. fresh water obtained from a well, pump, pipe or public water supply
      • traditional, Ordspråkene [Proverbs], 5:15:

        drikk av din egen brønn, den som flyter fra din egen kilde!

        Drink from your own well, from the water flowing from your own spring!

      • 1919, Johan Falkberget, Fimbulvinter, page 92:

        [hun måtte] faa lov til at gaa til Jættistibrønden efter vatn

        [she had to] be allowed to go to the Jættisti well for water

      • 2004, Levi Henriksen, Snø vil falle over snø som har falt, page 62:

        da han kom hjem, var det fortsatt ikke noe vann i krana

        when he came home, there was still no running water

      1. a piped water supply or connection
         • 2010, Oslo byleksikon, page 406:

           strøket var uten vann, avløp og gatebelysning

           the district lacked running water, sewerage and street lighting

   2. water used for washing, bathing or cleaning
      • traditional, Lukas [Gospel of Luke], 7:44:

        du [Simeon] ga meg ikke vann til føttene mine

        you [Simon] gave me no water for my feet

      • traditional, 2 Kongebok [Second Book of Kings], 3:11:

        her er Elisa …, han som pleide å helle vann over Elias hender

        Elisha is here … the one who used to pour water over Elijah's hands

      • 1884, Henrik Ibsen, Vildanden, page 82:

        [villanden] har et traug med vand til at plaske i

        [the wild duck] has a trough of water in which to splash

      • 1920, Peter Egge, Inde i Fjordene, page 60:

        «Kaldt vatn herder,» sa han

        “Cold water toughens you,” he said

      • 1996, Tove Nilsen, Skyskrapersommer:

        jeg slår kaldt vann i ansiktet

        I splash cold water on my face

      • 2000, Trude Marstein, Plutselig høre noen åpne en dør, page 206:

        jeg skrur på vannet og holder dusjen mellom beina

        I turn on the water and hold the shower between my legs

      • 2011, Carl Emil Vogt, Fridtjof Nansen:

        han tok på den andre [underbuksen] som han hadde vridd opp i varmt vann

        he put on the other [pair of underpants], which he had wrung out in hot water

      1. a quantity or change of washing water
      2. (religion) water regarded as cleansing, consecrating or life-giving, especially in baptism
         • traditional, Johannes [Gospel of John], 3:5:

           den som ikke blir født av vann og Ånd, kan ikke komme inn i Guds rike

           no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit

         • traditional, Apostlenes gjerninger [Acts of the Apostles], 10:47:

           kan noen … nekte dem vannet og hindre at de blir døpt?

           can anyone … withhold the water and prevent them from being baptized?

         • traditional, Johannes' åpenbaring [Book of Revelation], 22:17:

           den som tørster, skal komme, og den som vil, skal få livets vann som gave

           let the one who is thirsty come, and let whoever wishes receive the water of life as a gift

         • traditional, Johannes [Gospel of John], 7:38:

           den som tror på meg [Kristus], fra hans indre skal det, som Skriften sier, renne elver av levende vann

           whoever believes in me [Christ], as Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from within them

   3. fresh water used for drinking by people or animals, or for watering plants
      • traditional, 2 Mosebok [Exodus], 23:25:

        [Herren] vil … velsigne brødet ditt og vannet ditt

        [the Lord] will … bless your bread and your water

      • traditional, 2 Mosebok [Exodus], 17:6:

        når du [Moses] slår på klippen, skal det komme vann ut av den, så folket får drikke

        when you [Moses] strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink

      • traditional, Salmene [Psalms], 63:2:

        et tørt og vansmektende land, hvor det ikke er vann

        a dry and weary land where there is no water

      • traditional, Jesaja [Isaiah], 30:20:

        Herren skal gi dere [folket i Sion] nødens brød og trengselens vann

        the Lord will give you [the people of Zion] the bread of adversity and the water of affliction

      • traditional, 2 Kongebok [Second Book of Kings], 19:24:

        jeg [Sanherib] grov og drakk av fremmede vann

        I [Sennacherib] dug wells and drank foreign waters

      • 1844, Henrik Wergeland, Min Moder:

        friske blomster sæt i vand!

        Put fresh flowers in water!

      • 1873, Henrik Ibsen, Kejser og Galilæer, page 462:

        uden levnetsmidler, uden vand

        without provisions, without water

      • 1873, Henrik Ibsen, Kejser og Galilæer, page 508:

        en drik vand, herre!

        a drink of water, sir!

      • 1874, Henrik Ibsen, Fru Inger til Østråt, page 96:

        jeg har sovet på den bare jord og levet af brød og vand

        I have slept on the bare ground and lived on bread and water

      • 1892, Henrik Ibsen, Bygmester Solness, page 15:

        får jeg lov til at ta’ et glas vand?

        may I have a glass of water?

      • 1920, Hans E. Kinck, Guldalder, page 46:

        [hun bad] efter klart vatn, hun klagede sig saa tørst

        [she asked] for clear water, complaining that she was so thirsty

      • 2006, Gunnar Kopperud, Internasjonalen, page 31:

        på setet ved siden av meg hadde jeg lagt to klementiner, en bok og en flaske vann

        on the seat beside me I had placed two clementines, a book and a bottle of water

      1. water used in preparing food or drink
         • 1882, Henrik Ibsen, En folkefiende, page 10:

           vandet står og koger

           the water is boiling

         • 1884, Henrik Ibsen, Vildanden, page 50:

           en liden mugge med dampende vand

           a small jug of steaming water

         • 1941, Helmer Hanssen, Gjennem isbaksen, page 129:

           i seltran stekte vi oss en julekake av mel og vann

           in seal oil, we fried ourselves a Christmas cake made of flour and water

         • 2012, Stig Aasvik, Indre anliggender:

           jeg liker å se grønne teblader folde seg ut i varmt vann

           I like watching green tea leaves unfold in hot water

   4. (colloquial) an insipid or heavily diluted drink
      1. (dated) a speech, article, performance or other work lacking substance or content
   5. water used to operate, power or cool machinery or industrial equipment
      • 1879, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, Norske Folke- og Huldre-Eventyr, page 169:

        han slap vandet paa [kvern]kallen

        he released the water onto the [mill] wheel

      • 2013, Per Qvale, Trabant, page 206:

        jeg måtte jo fylle vann på radiatoren hele tiden

        I had to keep filling the radiator with water

   6. water containing minerals, flavouring, medicine or another substance for a particular purpose
      • 1938, Gunnar Larsen, Bull, page 61:

        ikke klø de stikkene Deres. Vent skal jeg hente noe vann jeg har, som har vært så utmerket mot det

        do not scratch those bites. Wait, I will fetch some water I have which has been excellent for that

4. a liquid resembling, containing or consisting largely of water
   • 2018, Trude Marstein, Så mye hadde jeg, page 363:

     jeg presser vann ut av teposen

     I squeeze liquid out of the tea bag

   • 2018, Simon Stranger, Leksikon om lys og mørke, page 128:

     suppe … med biter av poteter og kålrabi som svømmer i det grålige vannet

     soup … with pieces of potato and swede floating in the greyish liquid

   1. a clear bodily fluid
      • 1909, Minda Ramm, Valgaar, page 103:

        [hun] fik en underlig svimmelhet, der kom vand i munden – hun var ved at besvime

        [she] felt a strange dizziness; her mouth filled with water—she was about to faint

      • 2011, Elin Rise, Luremus:

        jeg har en del smånupper i panna … Jeg prøver å klemme en, men det kommer bare noe vann ut. Det er ikke kviser

        I have some small bumps on my forehead … I try squeezing one, but only some clear liquid comes out. They are not pimples

      1. amniotic fluid
      2. urine
         • traditional, 2 Kongebok [Second Book of Kings], 18:27:

           ete sitt eget skarn og drikke sitt eget vann

           eat their own excrement and drink their own urine

         • 1925, Peter Egge, Hansine Solstad, page 13:

           en ku kastet vandet

           a cow passed water

         • 1939, Sigurd Hoel, Prinsessen på glassberget, page 82:

           han stod der og kastet vannet for natten

           he stood there passing water before turning in for the night

         • 1937, Johan Borgen, Barnesinn, page 16:

           han slapp vannet ved den minste ophisselse

           he passed water at the slightest excitement

      3. clear fluid discharged through the tear duct; tears
         • Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Samlede digter-verker, volume IX, page 33:

           øjnene vare fulde af vand

           the eyes were full of tears

         • 1867, Henrik Ibsen, Peer Gynt, published 1874, page 224:

           [profeten] stinker som skrevet står, af løgne, så en ærlig mand kan få vand i øjne

           [the prophet] stinks, as it is written, of lies, enough to bring tears to an honest man's eyes

         • 1929, Johan Bojer, Folk ved sjøen, page 13:

           [Pål Flata var] snar til å rase, og snar til å få øinene i vatn

           [Pål Flata was] quick to fly into a rage, and quick to get tears in his eyes

   2. the juice or liquid contained in a plant, fruit or berry
5. (mineralogy) the clear, transparent lustre or degree of clarity and purity of a gemstone or pearl

   En diamant av første vann. ― A diamond of the first water.

Usage notes

• In the senses referring to water as a substance, vann is normally uncountable. It is countable when it denotes lakes, distinct types or quantities of water, or changes of washing water.

Expressions

• hardt vann — hard water; water containing a high concentration of dissolved mineral salts
• bløtt vann / mykt vann — soft water; water containing few dissolved mineral salts
• skrive i vann — to do or write something that is immediately forgotten
• som en bøtte kaldt vann — like a cold shower; an unpleasant surprise
• slå/helle kaldt vann over/på noen — to dampen someone’s enthusiasm
• slå/helle/tømme kaldt vann i blodet på noen — to calm someone down or temper strong emotions
• blod er tykkere enn vann — family relationships are more important than other relationships; blood is thicker than water
• bære vann i såld — to undertake a futile or impossible task
• gå over bekken etter vann — to seek far away for something readily available nearby; to solve something in an unnecessarily difficult way
• gå gjennom ild og vann — to go to any lengths, especially to help or support someone
• som ild og vann — completely different or incompatible
• holde vann — to be watertight; figuratively, to withstand scrutiny or be plausible
• gå i vannet — to enter or fall into the water; figuratively, to make a blunder or fail
• til vanns — on or by water, especially at sea
• sette på vannet — to launch a vessel
• vann mellom båtene — a substantial gap between competitors or performances
• det har rent mye vann i havet siden … — much time has passed and much has happened since …
• skvette vann på gåsa — to make no impression or have no effect
• stille vann har dypest grunn — quiet or reserved people may possess the greatest depth
• trå vannet — to tread water; figuratively, to maintain a situation without making progress
• på dypt vann — in a risky, difficult or unfamiliar situation
• fiske i rørt vann — to take advantage of a confused or unstable situation
• holde hodet over vannet — to remain afloat; to manage or survive with difficulty
• krukken går så lenge til vanns at den kommer hankeløs hjem — repeated risk-taking eventually leads to misfortune
• ikke bære vann mot noen/noe — to be unable to compare with someone or something; to be far inferior
• ta seg vann over hodet — to take on something beyond one’s abilities or financial means
• gå for lut og kaldt vann — to receive insufficient care, attention or maintenance
• livets vann — (humorous) distilled liquor; the water of life
• vann og brød — formerly, a punitive prison diet consisting only of bread and water
• sitte på vann og brød — to be imprisoned or subjected to a bread-and-water diet
• gjøre vann til vin — to transform something ordinary into something extraordinary
• solen trekker vann — rays of sunlight appear to draw water upwards, especially beneath clouds
• bli til/som vann — (biblical) to become severely weakened or lose one’s courage
• få vann på mølla — to receive confirmation or support which strengthens one’s argument
• vann i hodet — hydrocephalus; figuratively, stupidity or mental dullness
• vann i kneet — an accumulation of fluid in the knee joint
• vann i lungene — pulmonary oedema
• vann i kroppen — an abnormal accumulation of fluid in bodily tissue; oedema
• løpe i vann — of the mouth or teeth, to fill with saliva
• late vannet — to urinate, pass water
• skremme vannet av noen — to frighten someone severely
• av reneste vann — possessing a stated quality to the fullest degree; of the purest or most genuine kind

Derived terms

• ansiktsvann (“facial toner”)
• avløpsvann (“wastewater”)
• badevann (“bathing water”)
• boblevann (“sparkling water”)
• borvann (“boric-acid solution”)
• brakkvann (“brackish water”)
• drikkevann (“drinking water”)
• elvevann (“river water”)
• farvann (“waters, navigable area”)
• ferskvann (“fresh water”)
• fjellvann (“mountain lake”)
• flomvann (“floodwater”)
• fostervann (“amniotic fluid”)
• grunnvann (“groundwater”)
• havvann (“seawater”)
• høyvann (“high water, high tide”)
• kildevann (“spring water”)
• kjølevann (“cooling water”)
• kjølvann (“wake”)
• kongevann (“aqua regia”)
• lavvann (“low water, low tide”)
• mineralvann (“mineral water; soft drink”)
• munnvann (“mouthwash”)
• oppvaskvann (“dishwater”)
• overflatevann (“surface water”)
• overvann (“surface runoff”)
• regnvann (“rainwater”)
• saltvann (“salt water”)
• sjøvann (“seawater”)
• smeltevann (“meltwater”)
• såpevann (“soapy water”)
• tidevann (“tide”)
• tungtvann (“heavy water”)
• vanndamp (“water vapour”)
• vanndråpe (“water droplet”)
• vannfall (“waterfall”)
• vannforsyning (“water supply”)
• vannkraft (“hydropower”)
• vannkraftverk (“hydroelectric power station”)
• vannledning (“water pipe”)
• vannlinje (“waterline”)
• vannløp (“watercourse”)
• vannmangel (“water shortage”)
• vannmengde (“quantity of water”)
• vannstand (“water level”)
• vanntank (“water tank”)
• vanntett (“watertight”)
• vanntårn (“water tower”)
• vannvei (“waterway”)
• vannverk (“waterworks”)
• varmtvann (“hot water”)
• vaskevann (“washing water”)
• vievann (“holy water”)

Related terms

• vanne (“to water”)
• vann- (“water-”)
• vanning (“watering”)
• vass- (“water-”)
• våt (“wet”)

See also

• innsjø (“lake”)
• sjø (“sea; large lake”)
• tjern (“small lake, pond”)

Etymology 2

Borrowed from German dann und wann (“now and then”), adapted as the fixed expression dann og vann. The second element corresponds to German wann (“when; ever”) and survives independently only within this expression.

Compare Danish dann og vand (“now and then”).

Adverb

vann

1. only used in dann og vann (“now and then, from time to time”)

   Dann og vann trenger en å ta pause. ― One needs to take a break from time to time.

Etymology 3

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb

vann

1. imperative of vanne (“to water; wet or soak; dilute; give water to; urinate; strike or land on water”)

References

• “vann” in The Bokmål Dictionary.
• “vann_1” in Norwegian Academy Dictionary (NAOB).
• “vann_2” in Norwegian Academy Dictionary (NAOB).
• Kroonen, Guus (2013), Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic, Leiden: Brill, s.v. “*watōr”.

Anagrams

• navn, vann-

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology 1

From vatn with tn > nn (cf. botn > bonn). Also largely influenced by Danish vand, whence Norwegian Bokmål vann.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʋɐnː/

  • Audio (Vest-Agder):

    (file)

• Rhymes: -ɐnː

Noun

vann n (definite singular vannet, indefinite plural vann, definite plural vanna)

1. (dialectal, South Eastern Norway) alternative form of vatn (“water”)

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb

vann

1. past of vinna

Old Norse

Verb

vann

1. first/third-person singular past active indicative of vinna

Scanian

Etymology

From Old Norse vatn.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ʋán]

Noun

vann n

1. water

Swedish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /van/

Noun

vann n

1. (Scania) water; body of water

Verb

vann

1. past indicative of vinna