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Maten er god.

Maten er god.
The food is good.
FromLesson 4inHardcore Norwegian
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Breakdown of Maten er god.

være
to be
maten
the food
god
good
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Questions & Answers about Maten er god.

What does Maten er god mean in English?
It translates to The food is good. This is a simple statement used to compliment the quality of the food.
How is the definite form shown in maten?
In Norwegian, definite nouns are typically formed by adding a suffix to the base form. The word mat means food, and by adding -en, it becomes maten, which translates to the food.
What role does er play in this sentence?
Er is the present tense of the verb å være, meaning to be. In the sentence, it functions as the linking verb, equivalent to is in English.
Is the sentence structure in Maten er god similar to that in English?
Yes, it is. The sentence follows a simple subject-linking verb-adjective structure: maten (subject) followed by er (linking verb) and then god (adjective). This is directly comparable to how we construct sentences like The food is good in English.
Why does the adjective god remain unchanged in this sentence?
In Norwegian, adjectives used predicatively—that is, following a linking verb—generally stay in their base form. Unlike attributive usage (before the noun), where adjectives might sometimes change for number or definiteness, the predicate adjective god does not change when used after er.
Do you have any pronunciation tips for Maten er god?

A few pointers: • Maten is roughly pronounced as MAH-ten, with the emphasis on the first syllable. • Er sounds a bit like air, but shorter and crisper. • God is pronounced somewhat like goo, with a soft d at the end. Remember that regional accents may introduce slight variations in pronunciation.