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Luften i skogen er friskere enn luften i byen.

Luften i skogen er friskere enn luften i byen.
The air in the forest is fresher than the air in the city.
FromLesson 13inHardcore Norwegian
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Breakdown of Luften i skogen er friskere enn luften i byen.

være
to be
i
in
frisk
fresh
enn
than
byen
the city
skogen
the forest
luften
the air
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Questions & Answers about Luften i skogen er friskere enn luften i byen.

Why is luften written with -en at the end?

In Norwegian the definite article (“the”) is attached to the end of the noun as a suffix.

  • luft = “air” (indefinite)
  • luften = “the air” (definite singular)
Why do we say i skogen and i byen using the definite forms (skogen, not skog; byen, not by)?

Because we’re talking about the forest and the city (specific places).

  • skog/ by = “a forest”/ “a city” (indefinite)
  • skogen/ byen = “the forest”/ “the city” (definite)
Why is the preposition i used here instead of på?

Norwegian uses i for “in” when referring to something inside an area or volume (forest, city, house).

  • i skogen = in the forest
  • i byen = in the city
    på (“on”) is used for surfaces (“på bordet” – on the table) or some islands/locations (“på øya” – on the island).
What does friskere mean, and how do you form the comparative in Norwegian?

friskere = “fresher” or “more fresh.” To form a standard comparative:

  1. Take the adjective in its base form: frisk
  2. Add -ere for one-syllable (and many two-syllable) adjectives
    → frisk → friskere
Can I say mer frisk instead of friskere?

No. Monosyllabic adjectives like frisk do not use mer + adjective; they use -ere.

  • Correct: friskere
  • Incorrect: mer frisk
Why do we use enn after friskere?

In Norwegian comparisons, enn corresponds to English “than.” You always link the comparative adjective to the second element with enn:
friskere enn luften i byen
(“fresher than the air in the city”)

Why is luften repeated in luften i skogen and luften i byen?

They’re two separate definite noun phrases:

  • the air in the forest (luften i skogen)
  • the air in the city (luften i byen)
    Each phrase needs its own noun form.
Is there a way to avoid repeating luften in the comparison?

Yes. You can use the pronoun den (referring back to luften, common-gender) or omit the second noun altogether:
1) With pronoun:
Luften i skogen er friskere enn den i byen.

2) Elliptical (noun understood):
Luften i skogen er friskere enn i byen.