Stjernekartet peker mot Polarstjernen.

to point

Breakdown of Stjernekartet peker mot Polarstjernen.

• mot: toward
• stjernekartet: the star map
• Polarstjernen: the North Star

Questions & Answers about Stjernekartet peker mot Polarstjernen.

Why is stjernekartet one word?

Because Norwegian very often makes compound nouns where English would use two words.

• stjerne = star
• kart = map, chart

So stjernekart literally means star chart.
Then -et is added to make it definite, giving stjernekartet = the star chart.

This is very normal in Norwegian:

• solbriller = sunglasses
• skolebok = schoolbook / school book
• verdenskart = world map

What does the ending -et in stjernekartet mean?

It is the definite ending for a neuter noun. Norwegian often puts the at the end of the noun instead of using a separate word like English does.

• et stjernekart = a star chart
• stjernekartet = the star chart

The base noun is et stjernekart, so it is a neuter noun, and that is why the definite form ends in -et.

Why is it Polarstjernen and not just Polarstjerne?

Because Polarstjernen is the definite form, meaning the Pole Star.

• en polarstjerne = a pole star
• polarstjernen = the Pole Star

In this sentence, it refers to the specific star, so the definite form is used.

Also, in actual usage, Polarstjernen is often treated like a proper name, which is one reason you may see it capitalized.