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Questions & Answers about Det er ekstra varmt.
What does the Det in "Det er ekstra varmt" stand for?
Det is an impersonal or dummy subject, much like the English It in "It is extra warm." In Norwegian, weather expressions typically require Det even though there isn’t something concrete being referred to.
How does the adjective varmt agree with the subject in this sentence?
In Norwegian, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Here, varmt is the neuter singular form, aligning with Det which is used as a general, impersonal subject in weather expressions.
What role does ekstra play in the sentence?
Ekstra functions as an adverb modifying the adjective varmt. It intensifies the degree of warmth, similar to saying "extra warm" or "especially warm" in English.
How is the overall structure of "Det er ekstra varmt" similar to the English phrase "It is extra warm"?
The structure is very similar. Both sentences start with a dummy subject (Det in Norwegian; It in English), followed by a linking verb (er in Norwegian; is in English), and conclude with an adjective phrase (ekstra varmt vs. extra warm) that describes the condition.
Are there alternative adverbs that could be used instead of ekstra in this context?
Yes, you might also use veldig (meaning very) in a similar sentence, for example, "Det er veldig varmt" meaning "It is very warm." However, ekstra suggests an additional, perhaps unexpected degree of warmth, while veldig simply intensifies the adjective without that extra nuance.