Jeg lager frokost mens jeg hører musikk.

I make breakfast while I listen to music.

Breakdown of Jeg lager frokost mens jeg hører musikk.

• jeg: I
• musikk: the music
• lage: to make
• frokost: the breakfast
• mens: while

Questions & Answers about Jeg lager frokost mens jeg hører musikk.

What does mens mean and how is it used in this sentence?

Mens is a conjunction in Norwegian that translates to "while" in English. It connects two clauses to show that the actions are happening simultaneously. In this sentence, it links "Jeg lager frokost" (I make breakfast) with "jeg hører musikk" (I listen to music).

Why is the subject jeg repeated in both parts of the sentence?

Norwegian typically requires each independent clause to have its own subject. Even though the same subject performs both actions, repeating "jeg" clarifies that each clause is a separate statement. This repetition helps maintain clarity in the structure, ensuring that the listener or reader understands who is performing each action.

How are the verbs lager and hører conjugated in this context?

Both lager (make) and hører (hear/listen) are in the present tense. In Norwegian, present tense forms are used to describe actions that are currently happening. The verbs do not change form based on the subject in the way that some languages do, so for "jeg" (I), you use lager and hører, which directly translate as "I make" and "I listen (or hear)" respectively.

Could this sentence be constructed using lytte instead of høre for the auditory action?

Yes, it is possible. While høre can mean both "to hear" and "to listen", using lytte emphasizes the act of actively listening. However, when you use lytte in Norwegian, it is typically followed by til. So the sentence would become "Jeg lager frokost mens jeg lytter til musikk." Both versions are correct, but they can imply slightly different nuances—lytte til tends to suggest a more intentional or focused listening.

What is the typical word order in a Norwegian sentence like this one?

The sentence follows the standard Norwegian word order for independent clauses: Subject-Verb-Object. In "Jeg lager frokost", jeg is the subject, lager is the verb, and frokost is the object. The second clause, "jeg hører musikk", has the same structure. The conjunction mens simply connects these two clauses without altering their individual word orders.