Breakdown of Læreren er streng når vi ikke gjør lekser.
være
to be
vi
we
når
when
ikke
not
gjøre
to do
læreren
the teacher
leksen
the homework
streng
strict
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Norwegian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Læreren er streng når vi ikke gjør lekser.
What does the word læreren signify and why is there no separate word for the?
læreren is the definite form of lærer (teacher). In Norwegian Bokmål you attach the definite article as a suffix: en lærer (a teacher), læreren (the teacher).
What does streng mean and how is it used?
streng is an adjective meaning strict. It agrees with common-gender nouns but doesn’t change in the definite: en streng lærer, læreren er streng.
Why is når used here, not hvis?
når means when in the sense of whenever or repeated situations. hvis means if (a conditional). This sentence describes what happens each time we don’t do homework, so når is correct.
Can I use da instead of når here?
No. da refers to a single event or time in the past (e.g., da jeg var liten – when I was small). For habitual, present or future situations, you must use når.
How is the word order structured in the clause når vi ikke gjør lekser?
In a subordinate clause introduced by a conjunction like når, the usual order is: conjunction + subject + negation + verb + object. So you get: når (conj) + vi (subject) + ikke (negation) + gjør (verb) + lekser (object).
Why does ikke come before the verb gjør here but after the verb in main clauses?
In subordinate clauses, the negation ikke typically follows the subject. In main clauses Norwegian enforces the V2 (verb-second) rule, so ikke often follows the finite verb: Vi gjør ikke lekser.
Why is it gjør lekser and not gjør leksene?
Because the sentence talks about homework in general (indefinite). lekser is the indefinite plural. If you meant specific homework assignments, you would say gjør leksene (the assignments).
Is a comma needed before når in such sentences?
Modern Norwegian comma rules are more flexible. You may insert a comma before a subordinate clause (Læreren er streng, når vi ikke gjør lekser) to mirror English, but it’s not obligatory in everyday writing.
Could we say Læreren blir streng instead of er streng?
Yes. blir streng means becomes strict, emphasizing that the teacher’s strictness is a reaction. er streng simply states a characteristic.
How do you pronounce gjør and lekser?
gjør is pronounced [jœːr] (like English “your,” but with a short ø-vowel). lekser is [ˈleksəɾ] (“LEK-suh”).