Vi må bekjempe problemet.

Vi means we. It is the subject of the sentence — the people doing the action.

So in Vi må bekjempe problemet, vi = we.

Må means must or have to.

It expresses necessity or obligation. In this sentence, it shows that fighting the problem is necessary.

A useful point for learners: må is a modal verb, like can, will, or must in English.

Because må is a modal verb, and in Norwegian, modal verbs are normally followed directly by the infinitive without å.

So you say:

• Vi må bekjempe problemet. = We must combat the problem.

Not:

• Vi må å bekjempe problemet. ❌

This is similar to English, where we say must fight, not must to fight.

Bekjempe means to fight, to combat, or to struggle against something.

It is often used for things like:

• bekjempe fattigdom = combat poverty
• bekjempe sykdom = fight disease
• bekjempe problemet = combat the problem

It often sounds a bit more formal or serious than a very general verb like fix.

Because problemet is the definite form, meaning the problem.

In Norwegian, definiteness is often shown by adding an ending to the noun.

For et problem:

• et problem = a problem
• problemet = the problem

So the -et ending marks it as definite.

The basic form is et problem, so it is a neuter noun.

That gives these forms:

• et problem = a problem
• problemet = the problem
• problemer = problems
• problemene = the problems

Unfortunately, grammatical gender often has to be learned with the noun, so it is best to memorize new nouns together with their article: et problem, not just problem.

The word order is:

• Vi = subject
• må = finite verb
• bekjempe = infinitive/main verb
• problemet = object

So the pattern is:

Subject + finite verb + infinitive + object

This is a very normal Norwegian main-clause structure.

Yes. Må can mean must, have to, or sometimes need to, depending on context.

For example:

• Jeg må gå nå. = I must / have to go now.
• Vi må bekjempe problemet. = We must / have to combat the problem.

In many everyday cases, English have to is a natural translation, even though the Norwegian word is må.

A rough guide for English speakers is:

• Vi ≈ vee
• må ≈ moh (with a rounded vowel)
• bekjempe ≈ beh-SHYEM-peh
• problemet ≈ pro-BLEH-met

A few notes:

• kj in bekjempe is a Norwegian sound that can be difficult for English speakers. In many dialects it sounds something like a soft sh or hsh sound.
• The final -e in bekjempe is pronounced, unlike many silent English final letters.

Exact pronunciation varies by dialect, but this approximation is a good start.

Yes, sometimes that works in context, but must or have to is usually closer to må.

So the most direct translations are:

• We must combat the problem
• We have to fight the problem

We need to fight the problem can sound slightly softer in English, while må often sounds stronger.

Yes, but it is somewhat more formal or serious than some everyday alternatives.

You often see it in discussions about:

• social problems
• disease
• crime
• climate change
• political issues

So Vi må bekjempe problemet sounds natural, especially in formal, political, or serious contexts.

Yes, but the meaning changes slightly.

• Vi må bekjempe problemet = We must combat/fight the problem
• Vi må fikse problemet = We must fix the problem

Bekjempe suggests resisting or fighting something harmful.
Fikse suggests solving or repairing it.

So both can be correct, but they are not exactly the same.