Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Optikeren bruker synstavlen etter autorefraktoren. - The optician uses the eye chart after the autorefractor.

Breakdown of Optikeren bruker synstavlen etter autorefraktoren.

Why does optikeren end in -en?

Because -en is the usual definite singular ending for many Norwegian nouns.

So optikeren is singular, not plural. The -er is part of the base word optiker.

A similar pattern is:

Why is there no separate word for the before synstavlen and autorefraktoren?

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

So:

This is one of the biggest differences from English. A separate word like den is usually added when there is an adjective:

But with just the noun by itself, the ending is enough.

Does bruker mean uses or is using?

It can mean either, depending on context.

Bruker is the present tense of å bruke. Norwegian often uses the simple present where English might choose either:

So the sentence can describe:

You often need context to know which is intended.