Jeg setter koppen på bordet.

I put the cup on the table.

Breakdown of Jeg setter koppen på bordet.

• jeg: I
• på: on
• bordet: the table
• koppen: the cup

Questions & Answers about Jeg setter koppen på bordet.

Why is koppen used instead of en kopp?

In Norwegian the definite article is attached as a suffix. A masculine noun like en kopp adds -en in the singular definite form: koppen = the cup. You never need a separate word for the before the noun.

Why is bordet used and not et bord?

Bord is a neuter noun: indefinite et bord. To make it definite you add -et, giving bordet = the table. Masculine nouns take -en, feminine take -a or -en depending on the dialect, and neuter take -et.

What does the preposition på mean here?

På corresponds to on in English. It indicates placement on a surface. So på bordet = on the table.

How do you conjugate the verb sette?

Sette is irregular. Its forms are:
• Infinitive: å sette
• Present: (jeg) setter
• Past: (jeg) satte
• Past participle: satt (as in har satt)