Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Norwegian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Barna er ute.
What does the word Barna mean in this sentence?
Barna is the definite plural form of barn. In Norwegian, rather than using a separate word for “the,” the definite article is attached to the noun. Thus, barna means the children.
What does the verb er signify here?
Er is the present tense form of å være (to be). In this sentence, it functions as a linking verb, connecting the subject (barna) to the adverb that describes their location (ute).
How is the adverb ute used in this sentence?
Ute means outside. It serves as an adverb that indicates where the children are. In Norwegian, location adverbs like ute typically follow the verb, which is why it appears at the end of the sentence.
Why is the definite article shown as a suffix in barna rather than as a separate word?
Norwegian combines the definite article with the noun as a suffix. For the noun barn (child/children), adding -a forms barna, which means the children. This is a common grammatical structure in Norwegian for expressing definiteness.
Is the sentence structure of Barna er ute. typical in Norwegian?
Yes, the sentence follows the standard Norwegian word order: subject (barna), verb (er), and adverbial of place (ute). This structure is very similar to English (subject-verb-adverb), making it intuitive for English speakers who are learning Norwegian.
Can more context be added to this sentence, and if so, how?
Absolutely. While Barna er ute. is a complete sentence, additional context can be provided by expanding the adverbial phrase. For example, one could say Barna er ute i hagen. (meaning The children are outside in the garden) to specify the location more precisely.