Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Takstigen gir atkomst til skorsteinen. - The roof ladder gives access to the chimney.

Because Norwegian normally writes compound nouns as a single word. Takstigen is made from tak = roof and stige = ladder, so takstige means roof ladder. In this sentence, takstigen is the definite singular form, meaning the roof ladder.

Why does takstigen end in -en?

The ending -en is the definite article attached to the noun. In Norwegian, the definite article usually goes at the end of the noun rather than in front of it.

For this noun, the pattern is:

en takstige = a roof ladder
takstigen = the roof ladder

So takstigen is not a different word; it is just the definite form of takstige.

What form is gir?

Gir is the present tense of å gi, which means to give. So gir means gives or, in this context, provides.

A useful thing for English speakers is that Norwegian verbs do not change for person:

jeg gir = I give
du gir = you give
han gir = he gives
de gir = they give

So the verb form stays the same.

Does gir literally mean gives here?