Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Mirakelet skjedde i går.

Breakdown of Mirakelet skjedde i går.

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What does mirakelet mean, and why does it end in -et?

Mirakelet means the miracle.

The base noun is mirakel, which means miracle. The ending -et is the definite singular ending for many neuter nouns in Norwegian.

So:

Unlike English, Norwegian often puts the onto the end of the noun instead of using a separate word.

Is mirakel an en noun or an et noun?

It is an et noun, which means it is neuter.

Its basic forms are:

This is something you usually just have to learn with the noun: et mirakel, not en mirakel.

Could I also say Et mirakel skjedde i går?

Yes. That would mean A miracle happened yesterday.

The difference is:

So the sentence you were given is talking about a specific miracle, not just any miracle.

What does mean?