Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Han ser seg i speilet før han drar. - He looks at himself in the mirror before he leaves.

Seg is the third-person singular reflexive pronoun. It refers back to the subject han (“he”) and means “himself.” In Norwegian, when the subject acts on itself, you use seg as the object of the verb.

Why isn’t there a word for “at” like in English “look at”?

In English you “look at” something, but in Norwegian se (to see) is a transitive verb and can take a direct object without a preposition. If you specifically want “look at” in the sense of examining, you use se på.

Why is speilet in the definite form?

We use the definite form (speil-et) when referring to a specific mirror that both speaker and listener understand, or that belongs to the subject. So speilet means “the mirror.” If you meant “a mirror” in general, you’d say et speil.

What role does før play here?

Før is a subordinating conjunction meaning “before.” It introduces the clause før han drar, which tells us what happens prior to him leaving.

Why is drar placed at the end of før han drar?

In Norwegian subordinate clauses introduced by a conjunction like før, the finite verb moves to the end of the clause. That’s why drar (present tense of å dra, “to leave”) comes last.

Can I say Han ser på seg i speilet instead?

You could, but it changes the nuance:

Han ser seg i speilet = “He sees himself in the mirror” (noticing his reflection)
Han ser på seg selv i speilet = “He looks at himself in the mirror” (examining or checking his appearance)
Using se på without selv often sounds incomplete or odd.

What about seg selv vs seg?

Seg already marks that the action falls back on the subject. Adding selv is optional and adds emphasis or clarity, similar to “self” in English:

Han vasker seg – “He washes himself.”
Han vasker seg selv – “He washes himself” (with a bit more emphasis).

Why is han repeated in før han drar? Can we drop the second han?

Norwegian requires an explicit subject pronoun in every clause, even if it refers to the same person. You must say før han drar, not just før drar.

Why are ser and drar in the simple present? Isn’t there a continuous form?

Norwegian doesn’t distinguish between simple and continuous tenses. The simple present (ser, drar) covers both ongoing and habitual actions. Context tells you which meaning applies.