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Questions & Answers about Kaffen er under bordet.
What does each word in the sentence Kaffen er under bordet mean in English?
In this sentence:
• Kaffen means "the coffee".
• Er means "is".
• Under means "under".
• Bordet means "the table".
How is the definite article expressed in the words kaffen and bordet?
Norwegian often forms the definite by adding a suffix to the noun. For example, the indefinite kaffe becomes kaffen with the suffix -n (meaning "the coffee"). Similarly, bord becomes bordet with the suffix -et (meaning "the table"). The choice of suffix depends on the grammatical gender of the noun.
What role does the word er play in the sentence?
Er is the present tense form of the verb å være (to be). It acts as a linking verb connecting the subject (kaffen) to the location provided by the prepositional phrase (under bordet). Its use is analogous to the English verb "is".
How does the preposition under function in this sentence?
The preposition under means "under". It is used here to indicate the spatial relationship between the coffee and the table—that the coffee is situated below the table. This usage directly parallels how we use "under" in English.
Why does bord change to bordet instead of remaining just bord?
In Norwegian, when referring to a specific object, the definite form is used by adding a suffix to the noun. Since bord (table) is a neuter noun, the definite form is created by adding -et, resulting in bordet which means "the table".
How does the word order in Kaffen er under bordet compare to that in English?
The word order in the Norwegian sentence is similar to English. It follows the Subject-Verb-Complement pattern:
• Kaffen (subject)
• Er (verb)
• Under bordet (complement/prepositional phrase)
This mirrors the English sentence "The coffee is under the table."