Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Å jobbe hver dag er viktig, men å sove er viktigere. - Working every day is important, but sleeping is more important.

Å is the infinitive marker in Norwegian—equivalent to to in English. You place å before a verb when you want its basic form (the infinitive), especially if that infinitive acts as a subject, object, or follows certain other verbs.

Why are the infinitive phrases used as the subject of the sentence?

In Norwegian, an entire infinitive clause (Å jobbe hver dag) can function as the grammatical subject, just like “Working every day” does in English. That clause then takes the finite verb er.

Why is the time expression hver dag placed after the verb jobbe, rather than before it?

Norwegian word order generally puts adverbs of time (e.g. hver dag) after the verb in simple verb phrases. So you say jobbe hver dag (work every day), not hver dag jobbe.

How do we form the comparative of viktig (“important”)?

Most one- or two-syllable adjectives take the suffix -ere to form the comparative. Thus viktig → viktigere (“more important”). The superlative is viktigst (“most important”).

Can you also say mer viktig instead of viktigere?

Yes—mer viktig is correct, but viktigere is far more common. As a rule, longer adjectives use mer + adjective, while shorter ones usually take the -ere ending.

Why is there a comma before men (“but”)?

When men connects two independent clauses in Norwegian, you normally place a comma before it, just as in English.

Do we have to repeat å before sove, or could we say men sove er viktigere?

Repeating å keeps the sentence parallel and clear: men å sove. Omitting å before sove would sound awkward or incomplete.