Grunntrinnet er tross alt lett.

to be

Breakdown of Grunntrinnet er tross alt lett.

• lett: easy
• grunntrinnet: the basic step
• tross alt: after all; nevertheless

Questions & Answers about Grunntrinnet er tross alt lett.

What does grunntrinnet mean literally?

Literally, grunntrinnet is the basic step/level.

It is made up of:

• grunn = ground, base, foundation
• trinn = step, level, stage
• -et = the definite ending for a neuter singular noun

So grunntrinnet means something like the basic level, the elementary stage, or the foundation step, depending on context.

Why does grunntrinn become grunntrinnet?

Because Norwegian usually attaches the definite article to the end of the noun.

So:

• et grunntrinn = a basic level
• grunntrinnet = the basic level

The ending -et shows that the noun is:

• singular
• definite
• neuter

This is different from English, where you would use a separate word like the.

Why is there no separate word for the?

In Norwegian, the idea of the is often built into the noun itself.

So instead of:

• the basic level

Norwegian says:

• grunntrinnet

That final -et already means the.

This is one of the first big differences English speakers notice in Norwegian grammar.

What does mean?