Håndjernene ligger på bordet.

The handcuffs lie on the table.

Breakdown of Håndjernene ligger på bordet.

• på: on
• bordet: the table
• ligge: to lie (be located)
• håndjernene: the handcuffs

Questions & Answers about Håndjernene ligger på bordet.

Why is there no separate word for the in håndjernene and bordet?

In Norwegian, the definite article is usually attached to the end of the noun instead of standing in front of it.

• bord = table

• bordet = the table

• håndjern = handcuffs / handcuff(s)
• håndjernene = the handcuffs

So Norwegian often says the equivalent of table-the and handcuffs-the.

What does the ending -ene in håndjernene mean?

Here, -ene marks the noun as definite plural.

So:

• håndjern = handcuffs / handcuff(s), indefinite base form
• håndjernene = the handcuffs

This is a very common Norwegian pattern. Many nouns add a definite ending instead of using a separate word like English the.

What does the ending -et in bordet mean?

-et is the definite singular ending for many neuter nouns.

• et bord = a table
• bordet = the table

So bordet tells you both:

1. the noun is definite, and
2. the base noun is neuter: et bord

Why is it ligger and not er?