Trusselen er alvorlig.

to be

Breakdown of Trusselen er alvorlig.

• alvorlig: serious
• trusselen: the threat

Questions & Answers about Trusselen er alvorlig.

Why does trusselen end in -en?

Because trusselen is the definite singular form of en trussel.

• en trussel = a threat
• trusselen = the threat

In Norwegian, the definite article is often attached to the end of the noun instead of being a separate word.

What are the other forms of trussel?

The full basic pattern is:

• en trussel = a threat
• trusselen = the threat
• trusler = threats
• truslene = the threats

So trussel is a common-gender noun.

Why is there no separate word for the in this sentence?

Because Norwegian usually expresses the by adding an ending to the noun.

So English:

• the threat

becomes Norwegian:

• trusselen

This is very normal in Norwegian. English learners often expect a separate word, but in many cases Norwegian puts definiteness on the noun itself.

Why is er in the middle of the sentence?