Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Kvelden er vakker.

It translates to The evening is beautiful. Even though the meaning is already given, this confirms that kvelden means the evening, er translates as is, and vakker means beautiful.

Why is there no separate word for “the” before kvelden?

Norwegian forms the definite article by adding a suffix to the noun rather than using a separate word. In this case, kveld (meaning “evening”) becomes kvelden (“the evening”) by appending the ending -en.

Why does the adjective vakker not show any additional ending to agree with kvelden?

In Norwegian, when an adjective follows a linking verb like er, it stays in its base form. The noun kvelden already carries the definite form and gender information, so vakker remains uninflected in this predicate position.

Is the word order in Kvelden er vakker similar to English, and how?

Yes, it is. Both Norwegian and English use a subject-linking verb-adjective structure in this simple sentence. Kvelden is the subject ("the evening"), er is the linking verb ("is"), and vakker is the predicate adjective ("beautiful").

How is the definite form of nouns generally formed in Norwegian, as seen with kvelden?

Norwegian typically creates the definite form of a noun by adding a suffix. For masculine or feminine nouns like kveld, the definite ending -en (or sometimes -a in certain dialects) is added, transforming kveld into kvelden (“the evening”).