Jeg må rydde kjøkkenet før jeg lager middag.

I have to tidy the kitchen before I make dinner.

Breakdown of Jeg må rydde kjøkkenet før jeg lager middag.

• jeg: I
• måtte: must
• før: before
• lage: to make
• middagen: the dinner
• kjøkkenet: the kitchen
• rydde: to tidy

Questions & Answers about Jeg må rydde kjøkkenet før jeg lager middag.

What does må mean in this sentence?

Må is a modal verb meaning “must” or “have to,” expressing necessity or obligation. It never means “may” (permission).

Why isn't there an å before rydde?

After modal verbs like må, Norwegian uses the bare infinitive without å. If you remove the modal, you’d say jeg liker å rydde, but with må it becomes jeg må rydde.

What’s the difference between rydde, vaske, and gjøre rent?

• Rydde: to tidy up or clear away clutter (put dishes away, organize items).
• Vaske: to wash or scrub surfaces (floors, dishes).
• Gjøre rent: literally “make clean,” implying a thorough cleaning (often includes washing and disinfecting).

Why does kjøkken get the -et suffix in kjøkkenet?

In Norwegian, the definite form of neuter nouns is marked by adding -et. So et kjøkken (a kitchen) becomes kjøkkenet (the kitchen). English uses a separate word “the,” whereas Norwegian often uses a suffix.

Why is lager placed after jeg in før jeg lager middag, instead of in front of jeg?

Før is a subordinating conjunction (“before”), which introduces a subordinate clause. In subordinate clauses you use the normal Subject–Verb–Object order (jeg lager). The main‐clause verb‐second (V2) rule doesn’t apply here.

Do I have to repeat jeg in both clauses? Why not just Jeg må rydde kjøkkenet før lager jeg middag?

Norwegian typically requires an explicit subject in each clause (except imperatives or a few impersonal cases). So you repeat jeg in the subordinate clause: før jeg lager middag.

What’s the difference between må and skal in contexts like this?

Må expresses necessity or obligation (“must/have to”), while skal often signals future intent or a planned action (“will/am going to”).
Example:
– Jeg må rydde kjøkkenet. (I have to tidy the kitchen.)
– Jeg skal rydde kjøkkenet etter jobb. (I’m going to tidy the kitchen after work.)

Can I use først instead of før here?

No. Før means “before” (temporal relation), while først means “first” (sequence).
Correct: Jeg må rydde kjøkkenet før jeg lager middag.
If you want to say “first … then …,” you could say:
Jeg må rydde kjøkkenet først, så lager jeg middag.