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Stopp ved den store inngangen, så kan vi kjøpe poteter.

Stopp ved den store inngangen, så kan vi kjøpe poteter.
Stop at the big entrance, then we can buy potatoes.
FromLesson 5inHardcore Norwegian
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Breakdown of Stopp ved den store inngangen, så kan vi kjøpe poteter.

stor
big
vi
we
kjøpe
to buy
kunne
can
stopp
to stop
ved
at
inngangen
the entrance
så
then
poteten
the potato

Questions & Answers about Stopp ved den store inngangen, så kan vi kjøpe poteter.

What is the function of the word stopp in this sentence?
Stopp is the imperative form of the verb meaning "stop". It serves as a command instructing someone to halt or pause at the specified location.
How is the location expressed in the phrase ved den store inngangen, and what do its parts mean?

The word ved translates to "at" or "by", indicating a location. The noun phrase den store inngangen means "the big entrance". Here:
• den is the definite article for common gender (equivalent to “the”),
• store is the adjective stor (“big”) in its definite form, and
• inngangen is the noun inngang (“entrance”) with a definite ending (‑en), forming the complete description.

What role does the word så play in the sentence?
Så acts as a coordinating conjunction meaning "so" or "then". It connects the first clause (the command) with the second clause (the result) by indicating that once you stop at the big entrance, it will then be possible for you to buy potatoes.
Why is the order kan vi used instead of vi kan in the second clause?
This inversion is a result of the V2 (verb-second) word order rule in Norwegian. When a sentence or clause begins with an element such as så, the finite verb (kan) must come immediately after, followed by the subject (vi). This ordering is a standard feature of Norwegian syntax.
How is the noun phrase den store inngangen constructed in terms of definiteness and adjective agreement?

In Norwegian, when forming a definite noun phrase with an adjective, you use:
• a definite article (den),
• the adjective in its definite form (store), and
• the noun with its definite ending (‑en added to inngang becomes inngangen).
This construction creates the phrase den store inngangen, which literally translates to "the big entrance."

Is the comma before så necessary, and why is it used?
The comma is used to separate two independent but related clauses. In this sentence, it clarifies that the command (Stopp ved den store inngangen) and the resulting possibility (så kan vi kjøpe poteter) are distinct parts of the instruction. While the use of the comma can vary with stylistic choices, it is common in Norwegian to use it for clarity in such compound sentences.

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