Stranden er vakker, men bølgene kan være farlige når det blåser.

The beach is beautiful, but the waves can be dangerous when it is windy.

Breakdown of Stranden er vakker, men bølgene kan være farlige når det blåser.

• være: to be
• det: it
• vakker: beautiful
• men: but

Questions & Answers about Stranden er vakker, men bølgene kan være farlige når det blåser.

Why is the definite article -en attached to the noun strand in Stranden instead of using a separate word like the?

In Norwegian Bokmål, the definite singular is usually formed by adding a suffix to the noun rather than placing a separate article in front.

• strand (a beach) → stranden (the beach)
  This replaces English “the beach.” You could also say den stranden for emphasis, but then you’d need the adjective to agree (see next question).

Why doesn’t the adjective vakker change form to vakre in Stranden er vakker?

Adjectives in predicate position (after er) agree only in number, not in definiteness:

• Singular predicate: no ending → vakker
• Plural predicate: add -e → de er vakre
  So Stranden er vakker stays vakker because stranden is singular.

What’s the difference between saying Stranden er vakker and Den vakre stranden?