Gitaren er kul, og han liker musikk.

to be

Breakdown of Gitaren er kul, og han liker musikk.

• han: he
• og: and
• gitaren: the guitar

Questions & Answers about Gitaren er kul, og han liker musikk.

Why do we say “Gitaren” instead of “Gitar”?

In Norwegian, nouns have two forms: the indefinite (e.g., gitar) and the definite (e.g., gitaren). When you say gitaren, you are referring to the specific guitar, whereas gitar would mean a guitar in a more general sense.

Why is the adjective “kul” and not “kult” or “kule”?

Adjectives in Norwegian can change form depending on the gender and number of the noun. Kul is the singular masculine or feminine form. Kult is the neuter form, and kule is typically for plural. Since gitar is masculine, kul is used here.

Who does “han” refer to in the sentence?

Han literally means “he,” so it most often refers to a male person. However, some speakers might personify the guitar as “he,” though it’s also quite possible the sentence implies that someone (he) thinks gitaren er kul and he likes music. In more standard usage for an inanimate object like a guitar, you would say den liker musikk, but context can override that.

Can I use “den” instead of “han” for the guitar?

Yes. If you’re referring to the guitar as an object, den is more common. Using han can sound a bit like giving the guitar a personality or emphasizing it in a playful or affectionate way.

When do I use “og” versus “men” in Norwegian?