Breakdown of Reglerne er lige lovlig strikse.
være
to be
reglen
the rule
striks
strict (rigid, exact)
lige lovlig
a bit too
Questions & Answers about Reglerne er lige lovlig strikse.
How do the words lige and lovlig combine to mean 'a bit too'?
Literally, lige lovlig means 'equally legal,' which makes no sense here! This is a very common fixed idiom. Danes use it to soften a criticism, making it mean 'a bit too' or 'slightly on the excessive side.' It makes the complaint about the rules sound much less aggressive than if you just used the word for (too).
Since Reglerne is plural, why doesn't lovlig get a plural -e ending?
In this sentence, lovlig isn't an adjective describing the rules; it's part of the fixed adverbial phrase lige lovlig modifying the adjective strikse. Because it functions as a degree modifier here, it doesn't take plural endings. You will sometimes see it written with an adverbial t-ending (lige lovligt), which is also correct, but it never takes the plural -e.
Could I just say for strikse instead of lige lovlig strikse?
Yes, but the tone changes. For strikse is a direct, blunt statement meaning 'too strict.' Using lige lovlig strikse softens the blow, translating closer to 'a little bit too strict' or 'rather strict.' It is a great conversational tool when you want to express dissatisfaction politely or with a bit of understatement.
Why is the plural definite form of regel spelled reglerne and not 'regelne'?