Vi ringer ambassaden.

We call the embassy.

Breakdown of Vi ringer ambassaden.

• vi: we
• ringe: to call
• ambassaden: the embassy

Questions & Answers about Vi ringer ambassaden.

What does vi mean, and does the verb change depending on who is doing the action?

Vi means we.

In Norwegian, the verb usually stays the same no matter who the subject is. So you get:

• jeg ringer = I call / I am calling
• du ringer = you call / you are calling
• vi ringer = we call / we are calling

That is simpler than English, where I call but he calls.

Why is the verb ringer here?

The infinitive is å ringe, meaning to call.

The present tense is usually made by adding -r to the infinitive:

• å ringe = to call
• ringer = call / am calling / are calling

So Vi ringer ambassaden uses the present tense form of the verb.

Does ringer mean call or are calling?

It can mean either, depending on context.

Norwegian usually uses the simple present for both:

• Vi ringer ambassaden. = We call the embassy.
• Vi ringer ambassaden. = We are calling the embassy.

English often distinguishes between call and are calling, but Norwegian usually does not.

Why is it ambassaden and not ambassade?