Breakdown of Vi valgte et tilfeldig sted å møtes i dag.
vi
we
et
a
å
to
i
in
dag
the day
velge
to choose
tilfeldig
random
sted
the place
møtes
to meet
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Questions & Answers about Vi valgte et tilfeldig sted å møtes i dag.
What tense is used in the verb “valgte,” and how is it formed?
“Valgte” is the simple past tense of the irregular verb å velge (to choose). Unlike regular verbs where you might just add an ending, irregular verbs like this one have unique past forms that learners need to memorize.
Why is the indefinite article et used with “sted” in the phrase et tilfeldig sted?
In Norwegian, nouns have grammatical genders. The noun sted (place) is a neuter noun, and the correct indefinite article for neuter nouns is et. For masculine nouns you would use en, so it’s important to know each noun’s gender when choosing the article.
Why does the adjective tilfeldig not take any ending in the phrase et tilfeldig sted?
When modifying an indefinite neuter noun like sted, adjectives in Norwegian do not receive an ending. The form tilfeldig remains unchanged because it agrees with the neuter, indefinite noun. Different rules apply for masculine or definite forms, but here no ending is necessary.
Why is the reflexive infinitive å møtes used instead of a simple infinitive like å møte?
The form å møtes is a reflexive (reciprocal) construction, indicating that the meeting is mutual—everyone meets each other. Using å møte would not clearly convey the idea of a reciprocal meeting. Thus, å møtes is the appropriate choice for expressing that the group will come together.
What is the function of the infinitive phrase å møtes i dag in the sentence?
The infinitive phrase å møtes i dag serves as a modifier that explains the purpose or intended activity associated with the chosen place. It tells us that the location was picked specifically for the meeting that is scheduled to happen today.
How does the word order in the sentence reflect typical Norwegian structure, especially regarding the placement of time expressions like i dag?
Norwegian often places time expressions at the end of the sentence to emphasize when an action takes place. In this sentence, i dag (today) comes at the very end, following the main clause and the modifying infinitive phrase. This arrangement aligns with common Norwegian word-order rules and makes the sentence flow naturally.