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Broren min tester tastene igjen, men ingenting skjer.

Broren min tester tastene igjen, men ingenting skjer.
My brother tests the keys again, but nothing happens.
FromLesson 16inHardcore Norwegian
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Breakdown of Broren min tester tastene igjen, men ingenting skjer.

men
but
min
my
teste
to test
broren
the brother
tasten
the key
igjen
again
ingenting
nothing
skje
to happen
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Questions & Answers about Broren min tester tastene igjen, men ingenting skjer.

Why is it Broren min instead of min bror?

Both word orders are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances and usage patterns.
• Broren min (“the brother of mine”) puts the noun first, making broren definite and then specifying whose it is. This is the most common spoken form.
• Min bror (“my brother”) is also correct and often found in writing or with adjectives (e.g. min eldre bror).

What tense is tester, and how is it formed?

Tester is the present tense of å teste (“to test”). Norwegian doesn’t have a separate continuous form, so the simple present covers both “tests” and “is testing.” You form it by adding -r to the infinitive stem:
å teste → tester

What does tastene mean, and why does it end in -ene?

Tastene is the definite plural of tast (“key,” as on a keyboard). Norwegian noun forms here are:
• Indefinite singular: en tast
• Indefinite plural: taster
• Definite plural: tastene (add -ene)

Where should the adverb igjen (“again”) go in the sentence?

Adverbs of manner or frequency like igjen usually come after the object or at the end of the clause.
Correct: Broren min tester tastene igjen.
Less common but still possible: Broren min tester igjen tastene.

What does ingenting mean, and why is it one word?
Ingenting means “nothing.” It’s a single indefinite pronoun combining the negative prefix in- and the root for “thing.” It behaves as the subject in ingenting skjer (“nothing happens”).
Could I say ikke noe skjer instead of ingenting skjer?

Yes. Both mean “nothing is happening.” Alternatives:
• Ikke noe skjer. (negation before the noun)
• Det skjer ikke noe. (negation after the verb plus det)

Is the comma before men mandatory?

In Norwegian, commas before coordinating conjunctions like men are optional. They’re often used for clarity, especially in longer clauses. Here the comma signals the shift:
Broren min tester tastene igjen, men ingenting skjer.

Why is the verb skjer placed after ingenting and not at the very start?
Norwegian main clauses follow the “V2” (verb-second) rule: the finite verb must occupy the second position. Since ingenting is the first element (subject), the verb skjer comes second: ingenting skjer. If you started with an adverb, the verb would still be second: Aldri skjer noe (“Never does anything happen”).