Han sjekker været.

He checks the weather.

Breakdown of Han sjekker været.

• han: he
• sjekke: to check
• vær: the weather

Questions & Answers about Han sjekker været.

What is the infinitive form of sjekker and how is it used in this sentence?

Sjekker is the present tense form of the infinitive å sjekke, which means “to check.” In this sentence, it indicates that the subject (Han) is currently performing the action of checking the weather.

Why is the noun written as været instead of just vær?

In Norwegian, definite nouns are typically formed by adding a suffix rather than using a separate word for “the.” Vær is the indefinite form (meaning “weather”), and by attaching the suffix -et it becomes været, which functions as “the weather” in English.

How does the word order in this Norwegian sentence compare to English?

The sentence follows a subject-verb-object order, just like in English. Han (subject) comes first, then sjekker (verb), and finally været (object), mirroring the structure of “He checks the weather.”

Why don’t we see a separate word equivalent to “the” before været?

Norwegian incorporates the definite article into the noun itself. Instead of placing a separate word for “the” before the noun, Norwegian adds a definite suffix—in this case, -et—to form været. This compact structure is common in Scandinavian languages.

Are there alternative ways to express “check the weather” in Norwegian?

Yes, you might also hear se på været, which literally means “look at the weather.” While å sjekke emphasizes verifying or confirming something, å se på can imply simply observing. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

What should I know about the pronunciation of sjekker and været?

Although pronunciations may vary by dialect, sjekker is generally pronounced with a soft sj sound—similar to the English “sh”—resulting in something like “shek-er.” Været is pronounced with a short, clear vowel sound, roughly like “veh-ret.” Listening to native speakers through audio resources can help you get a better feel for these sounds.