Pusten er normal.

Because pusten is the definite singular form of pust.

In Norwegian, the definite article is often added to the end of the noun:

• en pust = a breath
• pusten = the breath / the breathing

So Pusten er normal literally has the built into the noun.

In this kind of sentence, Norwegian often uses the definite form where English might simply say Breathing is normal.

It can suggest either one depending on context, but in a sentence like Pusten er normal, it usually means breathing in a general, medical, or observational sense.

So although pust by itself can mean breath, the full sentence is often understood more like:

• The breathing is normal
• Breathing is normal

This is very common in health-related contexts.

Because Norwegian usually attaches the definite article to the noun itself.

Compare:

• en bil = a car
• bilen = the car

The same pattern appears here:

• en pust = a breath
• pusten = the breath / the breathing

So English uses a separate word (the), but Norwegian often uses an ending instead.

Er is the present tense of å være, which means to be.

So:

• er = is / are / am, depending on context

In this sentence:

• Pusten er normal = The breathing is normal

Norwegian does not change the form of å være for different persons in the present tense:

• jeg er
• du er
• han er
• vi er

So er is always the same in the present.

Because adjectives in Norwegian often agree with the noun in gender and number.

Here, pusten is a singular common-gender noun, so the adjective stays in its basic form:

• Pusten er normal

Compare:

• Et barn er normalt → neuter singular
• Resultatene er normale → plural

So in this sentence, normal is the correct form because pusten is singular and not neuter.

Usually, Pusten er normal is the more natural sentence.

Pust er normal sounds less idiomatic in most everyday situations, because it feels more like talking about breathing in general as a concept, rather than a specific person’s breathing.

With pusten, the sentence sounds like:

• the person’s breathing
• the breathing being observed
• the breathing in this situation

That is why Pusten er normal is the form you are most likely to hear in medical or descriptive language.

Norwegian often leaves that unstated when the context already makes it clear.

So Pusten er normal can naturally mean:

• His breathing is normal
• Her breathing is normal
• The patient’s breathing is normal

The definite form pusten is enough if everyone already knows whose breathing is being discussed.

If you want to be more specific, you can say things like:

• Pusten hans er normal = His breathing is normal
• Pusten hennes er normal = Her breathing is normal

The word order is the normal Norwegian pattern for a simple statement:

• Subject + verb + complement

So here:

• Pusten = subject
• er = verb
• normal = complement/adjective

This is very similar to English:

• Breathing is normal

So the structure is straightforward and beginner-friendly.

Yes. Normal is still an adjective.

After verbs like å være (to be), adjectives often describe the subject:

• Huset er stort = The house is big
• Maten er god = The food is good
• Pusten er normal = The breathing is normal

This is called a predicative use of the adjective: it comes after the verb but still describes the noun.

A simple learner-friendly approximation is:

PUST-en er nor-MAAL

A few helpful notes:

• pusten has two syllables: pus-ten
• the u in Norwegian is not exactly like English oo or uh; it is a special Norwegian vowel
• er is often pronounced lightly in natural speech
• normal has stress on the second syllable: nor-MAL

You do not need perfect pronunciation right away; the main thing is to keep the sentence smooth and not over-stress every word equally.