Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Læreren låser klasserommet når timen slutter. - The teacher locks the classroom when the class ends.

Læreren is the definite form of lærer (teacher). Norwegian typically expresses “the” by attaching an ending to the noun: • masculine nouns add -en (en lærer → læreren)
• therefore læreren = the teacher rather than just teacher.

What does låser mean in this context, and is it a present tense or progressive form?

Låser is the present tense of låse (to lock). In Norwegian, the simple present can: • describe a habitual action (locks)
• describe an action happening right now (is locking)
Here it denotes a routine: the teacher always locks the classroom when the lesson ends.

Why is klasserommet spelled with -et at the end?

Klasserommet is the definite form of klasserom (classroom). Neuter nouns take -et for the definite article: • ett klasserom → klasserommet
Thus klasserommet = the classroom.

Why isn’t there a separate word for the before klasserommet?

Unlike English, Norwegian usually adds the definite article as a suffix. So instead of saying the classroom, you say klasserom + -et → klasserommet.

What does når mean, and why is it used here?

Når means when and is used to introduce time clauses. It covers: • repeated or habitual events (every time something happens)
• future events
Here it signals that the teacher locks the room at the moment the lesson ends.

Can I use da instead of når in this sentence?

No. Da is used for single past events. Når is needed for: • habitual or repeated actions
• general time references, including future
Since the locking happens regularly when lessons end, når is correct.

Why is the word order subject–verb–object in both clauses?

In Norwegian:
• Main clauses follow SVO (subject–verb–object), as in læreren låser klasserommet.
• Subordinate clauses introduced by a conjunction like når use conjunction → subject → verb (no inversion).
So når timen slutter keeps the verb after the subject.

What does timen mean, and why does it end with -en?

Timen is the definite form of time, but in this context it means lesson or class period. As a feminine noun, it takes -en:
• ei time → timen
So timen = the lesson.

Could I say etter at timen er slutt instead of når timen slutter?

You can, but:
• etter at timen er slutt means after the lesson is over and is slightly more formal.
• når timen slutter is more neutral and common for when the lesson ends.

How is å pronounced in låser and slutter?

Å is pronounced like the vowel in English more or born, but shorter.
• låser sounds roughly like LAW-ser
• slutter sounds like SLU-ter (with a short u as in put).