Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Mange barn er redd for mørket, men de elsker sjokolade. - Many children are afraid of the dark, but they love chocolate.

Because the adjective redd (afraid) requires the preposition for (of) when you name what you’re afraid of. In Norwegian you always say redd for noe.

Why is mørket in the definite form (with -et)?

When you talk about a general concept like “darkness,” Norwegian often uses the definite form.
• mørke = darkness (indefinite)
• mørket = the darkness (definite)
After redd for, it’s common to use mørket to mean “the dark” in general.

What’s the difference between redd for mørket and redd i mørket?

• redd for mørket = afraid of the dark (you fear darkness itself)
• redd i mørket = afraid when you’re in the dark (you get scared in a dark place)

Why is there a comma before men (but)?

In Norwegian you generally put a comma before a coordinating conjunction like men, og or eller when the second clause has its own subject. Here the new subject is de, so you separate with a comma.

Why is barn identical in singular and plural?

barn is an irregular neuter noun:
• Singular indefinite: et barn
• Plural indefinite: barn
• Definite plural: barna

Why don’t we use an article before sjokolade in elsker sjokolade?

When you talk about liking or loving something in general (a mass noun), Norwegian omits the article:
• Jeg liker sjokolade = I like chocolate
• De elsker sjokolade = They love chocolate

What’s the difference between elske and like?

• like = to like, enjoy (a milder feeling)
• elske = to love (a strong feeling)

How do I pronounce sjokolade and mørket?

• sjokolade: sj = English “sh” ⇒ sho-kuh-LAH-duh
• mørket: ø ≈ the vowel in English “bird” ⇒ MUR-ket

Why is er placed after Mange barn?

Norwegian is a V2 (verb-second) language. The finite verb (er) must occupy the second slot in a main clause, so it follows the subject phrase Mange barn.