En dag er lang.

to be

Breakdown of En dag er lang.

• en: a
• lang: long

Questions & Answers about En dag er lang.

Why do we use the indefinite article en here instead of the definite form dagen?

In Norwegian, using en (the indefinite article) indicates that dag is being talked about in a general, non-specific way. If you used dagen, it would mean “the day” in a more specific sense.

Why is the adjective lang placed after er?

In Norwegian, adjectives typically follow a form of the verb å være (to be), just as in English, where we say “A day is long.” The sentence structure [subject] + er + [adjective] is very common.

Are there any spelling or gender concerns with the noun dag?

Yes, dag is a masculine noun, which is why you use the masculine indefinite article en before it. The spelling is straightforward, and there aren’t any special rules affecting dag in this sentence beyond it being en dag in the indefinite.

How would this sentence change if I were talking about a specific day?

You would replace en dag with dagen, making the sentence Dagen er lang. This points to a particular day that both the speaker and listener know about.

Is there any difference between saying en lang dag and en dag er lang?

Yes. En lang dag is a noun phrase (“a long day”), while En dag er lang is a complete sentence emphasizing the state of the day. One describes the same idea more directly as a phrase; the other states it as a fact with a subject-verb structure.