Han virker paranoid.

He seems paranoid.

Breakdown of Han virker paranoid.

• han: he
• virke: to seem
• paranoid: paranoid

Questions & Answers about Han virker paranoid.

What does virker mean here? Does it mean works?

In this sentence, virker means seems or appears.

The verb is å virke, and it can mean different things depending on context, for example:

• Maskinen virker ikke. = The machine doesn’t work.
• Han virker trøtt. = He seems tired.

So in Han virker paranoid, the meaning is He seems paranoid, not He works paranoid.

Why is there no verb for is in the sentence?

Because virker already does the job of seems.

Compare:

• Han er paranoid. = He is paranoid.
• Han virker paranoid. = He seems paranoid.

So Norwegian does not need an extra er here.
You would not say Han er virker paranoid.

Why is it Han and not Ham?

Because han is the subject of the sentence.

In Norwegian:

• han = he
• ham = him

Since he is the one who seems paranoid, you use han:

• Han virker paranoid.

If he were the object, then you might use ham in some contexts:

• Jeg ser ham. = I see him.

Why is not changed?