Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Fryseren er tom.

In Norwegian, nouns form the definite singular by adding a suffix. fryser means “a freezer” (indefinite), and fryseren means “the freezer” (definite). The -en is the definite ending for common‐gender (en-) nouns in Bokmål.

What is the gender of fryser, and how can you tell?

fryser is a common‐gender noun (sometimes called masculine/feminine). You know this because its indefinite form uses en: en fryser (“a freezer”). In Bokmål, common‐gender nouns take en in indefinite singular and -en in definite singular.

Why is the adjective tom not inflected here?

When an adjective follows a linking verb like er (“is”), it stays in its base form and does not agree with gender or number. So regardless of whether the noun is common gender, neuter, singular or plural, you say er tom.

Could I say fryseren er tømt instead?

No, that changes the meaning. tømt is the past participle of tømme (“to empty”), so fryseren er tømt implies “the freezer has been emptied” (emphasis on the action). fryseren er tom simply describes the state: “the freezer is empty.”

What does tom mean, and are there related words?