Jeg ringer sekretæren.

I call the secretary.

Breakdown of Jeg ringer sekretæren.

• jeg: I
• ringe: to call
• sekretæren: the secretary

Questions & Answers about Jeg ringer sekretæren.

Why is there no separate word for the in sekretæren?

In Norwegian, the definite article is usually attached to the end of the noun.

• en sekretær = a secretary
• sekretæren = the secretary

So instead of putting a separate word before the noun, Norwegian often adds a definite ending:

• common gender singular: -en
• neuter singular: -et
• plural definite: often -ene or -a, depending on the word

Here, sekretær is a common-gender noun, so the secretary becomes sekretæren.

Why is it sekretæren and not en sekretær?

Because en sekretær means a secretary, while sekretæren means the secretary.

This is the difference between:

• indefinite: en sekretær = a secretary
• definite: sekretæren = the secretary

So the ending changes depending on whether you mean a specific secretary or just any secretary.

What verb is ringer, and how is it formed?