Skaden kan bli permanent.

The damage can become permanent.

Breakdown of Skaden kan bli permanent.

• bli: to become
• kan: can
• skaden: the damage
• permanent: permanent

Questions & Answers about Skaden kan bli permanent.

What does skaden mean, and why does it end in -en?

Skaden is the definite singular form of en skade.

• en skade = a damage / an injury / a harm
• skaden = the damage / the injury

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

So:

• en skade = a/the injury in an indefinite sense
• skaden = the injury

Depending on context, skade can mean injury, damage, or harm.

Why is there no separate word for the?

Because Norwegian usually puts the definite article at the end of the noun.

So instead of:

• the damage

Norwegian often says:

• skaden

This -en ending is the definite article for many singular nouns of common gender.

Examples:

• en bil = a car

• bilen = the car

• en skade = an injury / a damage
• skaden = the injury / the damage

What does kan mean here? Is it can or may?