Vi ser en bil.

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Breakdown of Vi ser en bil.

• vi: we
• bil: the car
• se: to see

Questions & Answers about Vi ser en bil.

Why is en used before bil?

In Norwegian, nouns have genders: masculine, feminine, or neuter. Bil is a masculine noun, so it takes the indefinite article en in front. If bil were feminine, you could also say ei bil in some dialects, but en bil is the most standard form.

What is the difference between Vi ser en bil and Vi ser bilen?

Vi ser en bil uses the indefinite form, meaning you're talking about a car in general (no specific car). Vi ser bilen uses the definite form, meaning you see the car (a particular, previously mentioned or understood car).

Could I use Vi ser på en bil?

Yes, but Vi ser på en bil often suggests that you’re taking a closer look at a car, or maybe observing it more thoroughly. Vi ser en bil simply states that you see a car, without the nuance of actually inspecting it.

Is the word order always subject–verb–object in Norwegian?

In simple declarative sentences like Vi ser en bil, yes, the standard order is subject (vi) – verb (ser) – object (en bil). Norwegian can have different word orders in questions or conditional clauses, but for basic statements, you’ll usually see this pattern.

How do you pronounce ser in Norwegian?

The e in ser is typically pronounced as a long e sound, somewhat like the English air but slightly shorter. The r is rolled or touched slightly with the tongue (depending on the dialect).

What does each word mean by itself?

• Vi = we (the subject pronoun)
• ser = see (the verb)
• en = a/an (masculine singular indefinite article)
• bil = car (masculine noun)