Omstendighetene er vanskelige.

The circumstances are difficult.

Breakdown of Omstendighetene er vanskelige.

• være: to be
• vanskelig: difficult
• omstendighetene: the circumstances

Questions & Answers about Omstendighetene er vanskelige.

Why is it omstendighetene and not just omstendigheter?

Omstendighetene is the definite plural form of omstendighet (circumstance).

• en omstendighet = a circumstance
• omstendigheter = circumstances
• omstendighetene = the circumstances

Norwegian often uses the definite form where English may or may not use the, depending on context. In this sentence, omstendighetene means the circumstances.

What is the singular form of omstendighetene?

The singular form is:

• en omstendighet = a circumstance
• omstendigheten = the circumstance

So the full pattern is:

• singular indefinite: en omstendighet
• singular definite: omstendigheten
• plural indefinite: omstendigheter
• plural definite: omstendighetene

Why is the verb er used here?

Er is the present tense of å være (to be).

So:

• jeg er = I am
• du er = you are
• han/hun er = he/she is
• de er = they are

In Omstendighetene er vanskelige, er links the subject and the adjective, just like are in English.