Brenningen varer lenge.

The basic dictionary form is brenning. In this sentence, brenningen is the definite singular form, so it means the brenning rather than just brenning.

Norwegian often adds definiteness to the end of the noun instead of using a separate word.

The ending -en is the definite article attached to the noun. In English, you usually put the before a noun. In Norwegian, you often put the definite article at the end instead.

So:

• brenning = indefinite/basic form
• brenningen = the
  • noun

That -en is doing the job that the does in English.

Because the noun already includes the definite article. Brenningen already means the brenning.

In a simple sentence like this, you would not normally add another definite word before it. So brenningen by itself is enough.

Varer is the present tense of the verb å vare, which means to last.

So:

• å vare = to last
• varer = lasts / is lasting

A useful thing to remember is that Norwegian verbs do not change for person the way English verbs do. The form varer stays the same with different subjects.

Because varer is already the main verb. The sentence does not need er.

In English, learners sometimes expect a form of to be, but here the idea is not is long or is lasting with a helper verb. The verb itself already means lasts.

So the structure is simply:

• Brenningen = subject
• varer = verb
• lenge = adverb

Because lenge is the word used for for a long time or a long time in the sense of duration.

Compare:

• lang = long (adjective)
• langt = often far, or the neuter form of lang
• lenge = for a long time / a long while

So with a verb like varer, you use lenge:

• varer lenge = lasts a long time

That is the natural choice for talking about duration.

Yes. This is a very normal Norwegian main clause:

• Brenningen = subject
• varer = finite verb
• lenge = adverb

So the pattern is:

Subject + verb + adverb

This also fits the usual Norwegian V2 rule, where the finite verb comes early in the clause, typically in second position in a main sentence.

Usually, this basic order is the most natural one: Brenningen varer lenge.

You can move things in Norwegian, but then the sentence may sound more marked, literary, or emphatic. For a learner, the safest version is the original one.

So as a general rule, keep:

subject + verb + adverb

unless you have a specific reason to emphasize something else.

A rough English-style guide would be:

BREN-ning-en VA-rer LENG-eh

A few notes:

• brenningen has stress near the beginning: BREN-...
• varer has two clear syllables: va-rer
• lenge ends with a weak -e sound, like eh or a very light uh

This is only an approximation, but it can help you get started.

Yes. The verb varer is present tense, so the sentence is describing something that lasts or is lasting.

In simple Norwegian statements, the present tense is often used where English would also use the present tense.

Yes. Varer lenge is a very common pattern for saying that something lasts a long time.

For example, you can use the same structure with many different subjects:

• Møtet varer lenge.
• Smerten varer lenge.
• Vinteren varer lenge.

So this sentence is useful as a model:

[subject] + varer lenge = [subject] lasts a long time