Questions & Answers about Brannskaden skylles med kjølig vann.
Why does brannskaden end in -en?
Because Norwegian usually puts the definite article at the end of the noun.
- en brannskade = a burn
- brannskaden = the burn
So -en here means the.
This is very different from English, where the comes before the noun. In Norwegian, the noun itself often carries the definite ending.
What exactly does brannskade mean?
Brannskade literally means burn injury or burn wound.
It is made up of:
- brann = fire / burning
- skade = injury / damage
So the compound noun brannskade refers to an injury caused by heat, fire, or something hot.
Why is it skylles and not skyller?
Skylles is the -s passive form of the verb.
- å skylle = to rinse / flush
- skyller = rinses / is rinsing
- skylles = is rinsed / should be rinsed
In practical instructions, Norwegian often uses this passive form. So Brannskaden skylles med kjølig vann sounds like an instruction such as:
- The burn is rinsed with cool water
- more naturally in English: The burn should be rinsed with cool water
So even though it looks like a plain present tense form, in context it often gives an instruction.