Vi lytter til aktoren.

we

Breakdown of Vi lytter til aktoren.

• lytte til: to listen
• aktoren: the prosecutor

Questions & Answers about Vi lytter til aktoren.

Why is til used after lytter?

Because the standard Norwegian pattern is å lytte til noe/noen = to listen to something/someone.

So:

• Vi lytter til aktoren = We are listening to the prosecutor
• not standard: Vi lytter aktoren

In other words, til is not optional here; it is part of how lytte normally works.

What form of the verb is lytter?

Lytter is the present tense of å lytte.

So:

• å lytte = to listen
• lytter = listen / am listening / are listening / is listening, depending on the subject

With vi, vi lytter means we listen or we are listening.

Does Vi lytter mean We listen or We are listening?

It can mean both.

Norwegian often uses the simple present where English might use either:

• We listen
• We are listening

So Vi lytter til aktoren can mean either one, depending on context. Norwegian usually does not need a separate progressive form like English are listening.

Why is it aktoren and not a separate word for the?