Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Malingen er ny, og huset ser fint ut. - The paint is new, and the house looks nice.

Malingen means “the paint,” and huset means “the house.” In Norwegian Bokmål the definite article is suffixed to the noun:
• Common‐gender nouns take -en (en maling → malingen)
• Neuter nouns take -et (et hus → huset)

Why is the adjective ny used instead of nytt or nye in “Malingen er ny”?

Adjectives in predicative position (after a linking verb like er) agree in gender and number:
• Maling is a singular common‐gender noun → use ny
• Nytt would be the neuter form (for et-nouns)
• Nye is used for plurals or attributive definite forms

Why is fint used instead of fin in “huset ser fint ut”?

Hus is a neuter noun (et hus). A predicative adjective must match the noun’s gender. The neuter singular form of fin is fint, so you get huset ser fint ut.

What’s the difference between using an adjective attributively vs. predicatively, and how does it affect its ending?

• Attributive adjectives (directly before a noun) take endings for gender, number, and definiteness:
– en ny maling
– det nye huset
• Predicative adjectives (after a verb like er or in ser fint ut) use the base/strong form without the extra -e of definite attributives.
– Malingen er ny (not nye)
– Huset er fint

What does ser fint ut literally mean, and why is ut included?

Ser = “looks/sees,” ut = “out.” Together se ut is the phrasal verb “to appear” or “to look (like).” Inserting fint gives “appears nice,” i.e. “looks nice.”

Why is the adjective placed between ser and ut, instead of after ut?

In Norwegian phrasal verbs (verb + particle), modifiers go between the verb and its particle. Hence ser fint ut, never ser ut fint.

Why is there a comma before og, and is it required?

When you link two independent clauses (each has its own subject and verb), standard punctuation in Norwegian places a comma before og. You might sometimes omit it in very informal writing, but including it clarifies the separation: Malingen er ny, og huset ser fint ut.

How would you form a yes/no question for each clause (“Is the paint new?” and “Does the house look nice?”)?

Invert subject and verb:
• Er malingen ny?
• Ser huset fint ut?

Can malingen also mean “the painting” (artwork), and how do you tell the difference?

While maling can refer to paint or a painted item, the usual word for an art painting is maleri. Context helps: if you’re talking about walls, the roof or a job, malingen nearly always means “the paint.”

Are there alternative ways to say “looks nice” in Norwegian?

Yes. You can swap the verb or the adjective:
• Huset ser bra ut. (looks good)
• Huset er pent. (is pretty)
• Huset ser flott ut. (looks great)