Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Hjelmen gjør turen tryggere enn før, selv om det regner. - The helmet makes the trip safer than before, even though it is raining.

In Norwegian, to express “make something [adjective],” you use the verb gjøre (to make) rather than være (to be). The structure is: • Subject + gjøre + object + adjective
So Hjelmen gjør turen tryggere literally means “The helmet makes the trip safer.” Using er would just state a quality (“The helmet is safe”), not that it causes a safer trip.

How do you form the comparative of trygg, and why is it tryggere?

Most Norwegian adjectives form the comparative by adding -ere to the base: • trygg (safe) → tryggere (safer)
You then introduce the thing you compare to with enn: • tryggere enn før = “safer than before.”

What’s the difference between enn and ennå?

They look similar but have distinct uses: • enn = “than,” used after comparatives (e.g. større enn, “bigger than”).
• ennå = “still” or “yet,” an adverb indicating continuation (e.g. Det regner ennå, “It’s still raining”).

What does før mean in tryggere enn før, and can I use something else?

Here, før is an adverb meaning “before” in the sense of “previously.” After a comparative and enn, it refers back to the earlier situation: • tryggere enn før = “safer than before.”
You could also say enn tidligere, which means the same but sounds a bit more formal.

What is selv om, and how does it differ from hvis or fordi?

• selv om = “even though” or “although,” introduces a concession.
• hvis = “if,” introduces a condition.
• fordi = “because,” introduces a reason.
In selv om det regner, you’re saying “even though it’s raining,” not “if it’s raining” or “because it’s raining.”

Why is the word order det regner (subject + verb) after selv om?

In Norwegian subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like selv om, you still use the typical Subject–Verb (SV) order: • Position 0: selv om
• Position 1: det (subject)
• Position 2: regner (verb)
Main clauses use V2 (verb-second), but subordinate clauses keep the subject right after the conjunction.

Why is there a det before regner, and can it be omitted?

In weather expressions, Norwegian uses an impersonal or “dummy” det as a subject: • det regner = “it is raining.”
You cannot drop det, because the verb needs a subject.

Could I say mer trygg enn før instead of tryggere enn før?

No. Short adjectives or those ending in a consonant cluster use the -ere suffix for the comparative: • trygg → tryggere
Longer adjectives take mer (e.g. mer interessant). So you must say tryggere enn før.

Why is there a comma before selv om det regner?

Norwegian often separates a main clause and a following subordinate clause with a comma, especially when the subordinate clause adds extra information or contrast: • Hjelmen gjør turen tryggere enn før, selv om det regner.
The comma makes the sentence easier to parse.