Tom kan kikke inn i leiligheten.

Tom can peek inside the apartment.

Breakdown of Tom kan kikke inn i leiligheten.

• Tom: Tom
• i: in
• kunne: can
• leilighet: the apartment
• kikke inn: to peek inside

Questions & Answers about Tom kan kikke inn i leiligheten.

What is the role of the modal verb kan in this sentence?

In this sentence, kan functions as the modal verb meaning “can” in English. It indicates that Tom is capable of or allowed to kikke—essentially expressing his ability (or potential permission) to perform the action.

What does the verb kikke mean, and how does it differ from similar verbs like se?

Kikke means “to peek” or “to take a quick look”. Unlike se, which generally means “to see” or “to look” in a broader or more deliberate way, kikke implies a brief or sometimes secretive glance.

Why is the phrase inn i leiligheten used instead of just i leiligheten?

Using inn i leiligheten emphasizes directionality. The word inn suggests movement or emphasis on looking inside the apartment, rather than simply indicating location. It gives the sense of “into” the apartment rather than merely being “in” it.

Does the sentence follow a similar word order to English, and what is its overall structure?

Yes, the sentence follows a fairly similar word order to English. Tom is the subject, kan is the modal verb, and kikke is the main verb, with inn i leiligheten acting as a prepositional phrase that describes where the action takes place. This mirrors the English sentence “Tom can peek into the apartment.”

Can kan indicate both ability and permission, and which meaning is intended here?

While kan can be used to express either ability or permission depending on context, in this sentence it primarily conveys ability—that is, Tom has the capability to kikke into the apartment. The context suggests that it’s more about what he can do rather than what he is allowed to do.