Sjokkelektrodene er på, det vil si at hjertestarteren er klar.

to be

Breakdown of Sjokkelektrodene er på, det vil si at hjertestarteren er klar.

• på: on
• klar: ready
• hjertestarteren: the defibrillator

Questions & Answers about Sjokkelektrodene er på, det vil si at hjertestarteren er klar.

Why does sjokkelektrodene end in -ene?

Because -ene is the usual ending for a definite plural noun in Norwegian.

• elektroder = electrodes (plural, indefinite)
• elektrodene = the electrodes (plural, definite)

Here the word is part of the compound sjokkelektrodene:

• sjokk = shock
• elektroder = electrodes

So sjokkelektrodene means the shock electrodes.

Norwegian often attaches the definite article to the end of the noun instead of using a separate word like the.

Why is the sentence using er på?

Er på is a very common expression in Norwegian, and it can mean different things depending on context, such as:

• is on / switched on
• is on the body / attached / in place

In this sentence, Sjokkelektrodene er på means the electrodes have been placed or attached properly. In an AED/defibrillator context, it is not mainly about electrical power; it is about the pads being on the patient.

So although på often means on, here it is better understood as in place / attached.

What does det vil si at mean, and how is it used?