Portrettet i motlyset er skarpt.

to be

Breakdown of Portrettet i motlyset er skarpt.

• i: in
• skarp: sharp
• motlyset: the backlight

Questions & Answers about Portrettet i motlyset er skarpt.

Why does portrett become portrettet?

Because portrettet is the definite singular form of the noun portrett.

• et portrett = a portrait
• portrettet = the portrait

Norwegian often adds the definite article as an ending on the noun instead of using a separate word like English the.

Since portrett is a neuter noun, its definite singular ending is -et.

Why is it motlyset and not just motlys?

For the same reason: motlyset is the definite form of motlys.

• motlys = backlight / backlighting / light coming from behind
• motlyset = the backlight / the backlighting

In this sentence, Norwegian uses the definite form in the prepositional phrase i motlyset, which can be understood as in the backlight or against the light depending on context.

What does i motlyset do in the sentence?