Questions & Answers about Skistavene står ved døren.
Why is skistavene one word, and how is it built?
Norwegian often makes compound nouns where English would use two words.
- ski = ski
- stav = pole/stick
- skistav = ski pole
- skistaver = ski poles
- skistavene = the ski poles
So skistavene means the ski poles.
This is very common in Norwegian:
- bokhylle = bookshelf
- tannbørste = toothbrush
- vinterjakke = winter jacket
What does the ending -ene in skistavene mean?
The ending -ene is the definite plural ending here. It means the ...s.
So:
- en skistav = a ski pole
- skistaven = the ski pole
- skistaver = ski poles
- skistavene = the ski poles
A learner often notices that Norwegian usually adds the meaning of the at the end of the noun instead of using a separate word.
Why is it står and not a form that matches the plural subject?