Breakdown of Etterpå gjør vi skolearbeid sammen ved bordet.
Questions & Answers about Etterpå gjør vi skolearbeid sammen ved bordet.
Etterpå is an adverb meaning “afterwards” or “later on.” You use it to indicate that something happens following a previous event.
Pronunciation tip:
- The “E” sounds like the e in English “bed.”
- The double t is held slightly longer.
- “på” sounds like poh, with an open o (similar to the vowel in English “law” but shorter).
Phonetically: [ˈɛtːərˌpɔː] or roughly “ET-ter-paw.”
Norwegian follows the V2 (verb-second) rule: when a single element (like Etterpå) starts the sentence, the finite verb must come immediately after it, and the subject follows the verb. So:
- Etterpå (adverbial)
- gjør (finite verb)
- vi (subject)
If you moved the subject first (Vi gjør), you wouldn’t have an initial adverbial, so the inversion wouldn’t be necessary.
skolearbeid literally means “school work.” It’s a general, uncountable term covering all types of tasks related to school—reading, projects, assignments, etc.
lekser (plural of lekse) specifically refers to “homework assignments.” So:
- skolearbeid = schoolwork (broad)
- lekser = homework (specific exercises/assignments)
- ved bordet = “at the table” (indicating location beside or at a table where you sit)
- på bordet = “on the table” (literally on top of its surface)
Since you want to study while seated at the table, you use ved.