Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Jeg åpner appen og ser at kofferten fortsatt står i heisen. - I open the app and see that the suitcase is still in the elevator.

Åpner is the present‐tense conjugation of the infinitive verb åpne (“to open”). In Norwegian you form the present by adding -r to the infinitive:
– Infinitive: å åpne
– Present: (jeg) åpner = “I open / I am opening”

Why is appen used instead of app in Jeg åpner appen?

In Norwegian the definite form of a noun is usually marked by a suffix rather than a separate word. App is the indefinite (“an app”), and appen is the definite (“the app”). You add -en for masculine/feminine nouns in the singular definite:
– en app = an app
– appen = the app

Why does the sentence use og ser instead of something like ser og?

Og simply means “and” and joins two verbs that share the same subject (jeg). The order åpner … og ser … follows normal coordinating structure: Verb 1 + og + Verb 2. You wouldn’t swap them because it would break the natural flow of actions in sequence.

Why is there an at before kofferten fortsatt står i heisen?

At is a conjunction introducing the subordinate clause “that the suitcase is still standing in the elevator.” In English you also say “I see that …”. Norwegian uses at in the same way:
– Jeg ser at kofferten …
Without at the sentence would be ungrammatical when reporting what you see.

What does fortsatt mean, and where should it go in the sentence?

Fortsatt is an adverb meaning “still” or “continuously.” In Norwegian it typically comes before the verb it modifies:
– kofferten fortsatt står = “the suitcase still stands”
You could also place it later for emphasis, but before the verb is most common.

Why is står used instead of er in kofferten fortsatt står i heisen?

Both stå (“to stand”) and ligge (“to lie”) can describe location. Stå specifically implies an upright position, which is natural for a suitcase standing on its wheels. Using er (“is”) would be grammatically correct but less descriptive:
– kofferten er i heisen = “the suitcase is in the elevator” (neutral)
– kofferten står i heisen = “the suitcase stands in the elevator” (more vivid)

Why do we say kofferten instead of koffert?

Just like app → appen, koffert (“a suitcase”) takes -en in the definite singular:
– en koffert = a suitcase
– kofferten = the suitcase
Because we’re talking about a specific suitcase that was expected elsewhere.

Why is heisen used instead of heis?

Again, the suffix -en marks the definite:
– en heis = an elevator
– heisen = the elevator
Since you mean “the elevator” in question, you use the definite form.

Could you use the past tense here instead of the present?

Yes, you could switch to past for a straight report:
– Jeg åpnet appen og så at kofferten fortsatt sto i heisen.
But using the present (åpner/ser/står) gives a sense of immediacy, as if you’re experiencing it right now.