Questions & Answers about Sjåføren må være edru.
Why does sjåføren end in -en?
Because Norwegian usually puts the definite article at the end of the noun instead of using a separate word like the.
- sjåfør = driver
- sjåføren = the driver
So -en is the definite singular ending here.
What kind of verb is må?
Må is a modal verb, like must, have to, or sometimes need to in English. Its infinitive form is måtte.
In this sentence, må expresses necessity or obligation: the driver is required to be sober.
Why is it være and not er?
Because after a modal verb like må, the next verb normally appears in the infinitive.
So:
- er = is / am / are
- være = to be
After må, Norwegian uses være:
- må være = must be
Not må er.
Why is there no å before være?