Norwegian «hva enn» explained – The «whatever» construction

By Ashraff Hathibelagal

«eller hva det nå enn måtte være» is a very common, idiomatic Norwegian expression.

Literal breakdown:

• eller = or
• hva = what
• det nå enn = it now ever / whatever it (might be)
• måtte være = might be / should be (subjunctive mood)

→ Word-for-word: “or what it now ever might be”

What it actually means:

It’s the Norwegian equivalent of English:

• “or whatever it’s called”
• “or whatever that is”
• “or something like that”
• “or whatever the hell it’s called”

It expresses vagueness / uncertainty about the exact term, while still referring to the general idea.

Examples:

• De vil bruke den som «streamere» eller hva det nå enn måtte være.
  → They want to use it as “streamers” or whatever that’s called.

• Hun driver med yoga, pilates eller hva det nå enn måtte være.
  → She does yoga, pilates or whatever that stuff is.

Similar expressions in Norwegian:

• eller hva det heter (more casual/short)
• eller hva det nå er (slightly shorter)
• eller hva faen det heter (vulgar version)
• eller noe sånt (or something like that)

Nuance:

The full form «eller hva det nå enn måtte være» sounds a bit more thoughtful or slightly ironic/playful. It’s very common in spoken Norwegian and informal writing. The «måtte» (subjunctive) gives it a sense of “no matter what the correct term actually is”.

Why is there an "enn" there?

The "enn" is the key little word that turns the whole phrase into the idiomatic meaning of "whatever".

Why "enn" is there:

"Hva ... enn" is a fixed Norwegian construction that means "whatever".

• Hva = what
• Enn = (in this context) "ever" / marks indefiniteness

Together "hva enn" = whatever

This is part of a whole family of similar expressions:

Full breakdown of the expression:

"eller hva det nå enn måtte være"

• eller = or
• hva = what
• det = it
• nå = now (softens it, makes it casual)
• enn = whatever (the crucial part)
• måtte være = might be / may be (subjunctive = "no matter what")

So literally:
"or what it now whatever might be"
→ naturally becomes: "or whatever (the hell) it is / is called"

Without "enn" it would change meaning:

• "eller hva det nå måtte være" → sounds incomplete or slightly old-fashioned, but still understandable.
• With "enn" → it clearly signals indefinite / no matter what → the standard idiomatic version.

Comparison to English:

English used to have the same structure:

• "What ever it may be"
• "Who ever it is"

Norwegian kept "enn" (cognate with English "even" / old use of "ever") in these constructions, while English mostly merged it into "whatever", "whoever", etc.

Short answer:
The "enn" is what creates the "whatever" meaning. It's not random — it's a deliberate grammatical particle used in Norwegian to express any / no matter which. Without it, the phrase loses its idiomatic strength.

What about "hva som helst"?

Yes, you're right — "hva som helst" is also a very common way to say "whatever" in Norwegian. But the two expressions are not interchangeable. They have slightly different uses and nuances.

Quick comparison:

Detailed explanation:

• "Hva som helst" = "anything at all" / "whichever you want"
  It emphasizes free choice or "no restriction".

  Examples:

  • Du kan velge hva som helst. → You can choose anything.
  • Spis hva som helst du vil. → Eat whatever you want.
  • Jeg spiser hva som helst unntatt sopp. → I eat anything except mushrooms.

• "Hva enn" (especially in "hva det nå enn måtte være")
  This is used when you're unsure of the exact name/term or want to sound vague/ironic. It's more idiomatic in the specific construction you asked about.

  It's closer to English "or whatever it's called" / "or whatever that is".

Can you swap them?

In the original sentence:

• Original: «De vil bruke den som «streamere» eller hva det nå enn måtte være.» ✅ Perfect and natural.
• With "hva som helst": «...eller hva som helst det måtte være.»
  → This is understandable, but sounds a bit off / less idiomatic. It feels slightly more like "anything at all" rather than "whatever the term is".

Best alternatives in this context:

• eller hva det nå enn måtte være ← most natural
• eller hva det nå heter
• eller hva det nå er
• eller hva som helst det heter (possible, but a bit longer)

Summary:

• "Hva som helst" = anything / any whatever (free choice)
• "Hva enn" = whatever (in the sense of "no matter what the exact thing is")

Both are correct Norwegian, but "hva det nå enn måtte være" is the classic, idiomatic phrase when you're unsure about the precise word. Native speakers use both.

Here are some more examples of "når enn" and "hvem enn":

Hvem enn = whoever

• Hvem enn det er, så er de ikke velkommen.
  → Whoever it is, they’re not welcome.

• Du kan gi det til hvem enn du vil.
  → You can give it to whoever you want.

• Hvem enn som ringer nå, ikke svar.
  → Whoever is calling right now, don’t answer.

• Hvem enn som vant konkurransen, gratulerer!
  → Whoever won the competition, congratulations!

• Jeg stoler ikke på hvem enn det måtte være.
  → I don’t trust whoever it might be.

Når enn = whenever

• Når enn du kommer, er det greit.
  → Whenever you come, it’s fine.

• Ring meg når enn du trenger hjelp.
  → Call me whenever you need help.

• Når enn det passer deg, kan vi møtes.
  → Whenever it suits you, we can meet.

• Jeg er klar til å dra når enn som helst.
  → I’m ready to leave whenever.

• Når enn hun får tid, sender hun meldingen.
  → Whenever she gets time, she’ll send the message.

Bonus variations (very common):

• Hvor enn = wherever
  → Hvor enn du er, så finner jeg deg. (Wherever you are, I’ll find you.)

• Hvilken enn = whichever
  → Ta hvilken enn du liker best. (Take whichever one you like best.)

Full sentences like the original:

• Du kan komme når enn det måtte passe deg.
  → You can come whenever it might suit you.

• Gi det til hvem enn det nå enn måtte være.
  → Give it to whoever the hell it might be.

Here are good examples where "enn" is separated (not right after "nå", "hvor", "når", etc.), just like in your original "hva det nå enn måtte være".

With hva + nå + enn

• Hva det nå enn måtte hete…
  → Whatever that’s called…

• Hva det nå enn er, så liker jeg det ikke.
  → Whatever it is, I don’t like it.

• Hva det nå enn måtte være, så er det dyrt.
  → Whatever it might be, it’s expensive.

• Jeg skal kjøpe en ny jakke, hva det nå enn koster.
  → I’m buying a new jacket, whatever it costs.

With hvor + nå + enn

• Hvor det nå enn måtte være…
  → Wherever that might be…

• Hvor det nå enn er i verden, så finner jeg det.
  → Wherever in the world it is, I’ll find it.

• Hun flytter dit, hvor det nå enn måtte passe henne.
  → She’s moving there, wherever it suits her.

• Hvor det nå enn ligger, så må vi dra dit.
  → Wherever it is, we have to go there.

With når + nå + enn

• Når det nå enn måtte passe…
  → Whenever it might suit…

• Når det nå enn er, så ring meg.
  → Whenever it is, call me.

• Jeg kan møte deg når det nå enn måtte være.
  → I can meet you whenever it might be.

• Når det nå enn dukker opp, så tar vi det.
  → Whenever it comes up, we’ll deal with it.

Mixed natural examples

• Du kan betale med hva det nå enn er for kort.
  → You can pay with whatever card it is.

• Hvor det nå enn måtte være i Oslo, så finner vi stedet.
  → Wherever it might be in Oslo, we’ll find the place.

• Når det nå enn passer deg best, så booker vi timen.
  → Whenever suits you best, we’ll book the appointment.

• Hva det nå enn heter på engelsk, så vet jeg hva det betyr.
  → Whatever it’s called in English, I know what it means.

These versions with "det nå enn" (or similar) feel very natural in spoken and informal written Norwegian. The "det nå enn" pattern is especially common because it adds a nice casual, slightly dismissive or vague tone.

Why "nå" is there:

In this specific Norwegian construction, "nå" is not a literal "now" referring to time. It’s a filler particle that adds a sense of vagueness, casualness, or slight indifference.

It’s very similar to English fillers like:

• "whatever it’s called"
• "or whatever the name is"
• "you know, whatever"

Correct natural translations:

Hva det nå enn måtte hete…
→ Whatever that’s called… ✅ Best
→ Whatever it’s called… ✅
→ Whatever the hell it’s called… (more informal)

Literal vs. natural:

• Literal (wrong in context): "Whatever that’s called now" → sounds like the name is changing at this moment.
• Natural: "Whatever that’s called" or "Whatever it may be called"

More examples to show how "nå" works as a softener:

• Hva det nå enn er… → Whatever it is…
• Hvor det nå enn er… → Wherever it is…
• Når det nå enn skjer… → Whenever it happens…
• Hvem det nå enn er… → Whoever it is…

The "nå" makes the phrase flow better and gives it that typical Norwegian casual, slightly resigned or "I don’t know the exact word" feeling.