Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Norwegian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Barnet graver et hull.
Why is it barnet and not just barn?
Barnet means the child. The noun barn means child, and the ending -et makes it definite: the child.
This is very common in Norwegian: instead of using a separate word like English the, Norwegian often adds the definite ending to the noun.
- barn = a child / child
- barnet = the child
Because barn is a neuter noun, its definite singular ending is -et.
Why is it et hull and not en hull?
Because hull is a neuter noun in Norwegian. Neuter nouns take the article et in the singular indefinite form.
- et hull = a hole
- hullet = the hole
Norwegian nouns have grammatical gender, and the article must match the noun’s gender.
What form of the verb is graver?
Graver is the present tense form of the verb å grave, which means to dig.
- å grave = to dig
- graver = digs / is digging
So:
- Barnet graver et hull = The child digs a hole or The child is digging a hole