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Questions & Answers about Han arbeider jevnt hver dag.
What does the adverb jevnt mean, and how is it different from jevnlig?
Jevnt means “steadily” or “evenly,” focusing on a continuous, consistent pace. Jevnlig means “regularly” or “frequently,” emphasizing that something happens at regular intervals.
- Han arbeider jevnt = He works at a steady, even pace.
- Han arbeider jevnlig = He works regularly or at regular intervals.
Why is the verb arbeider used instead of jobber?
Both verbs mean “to work.”
- Arbeider is slightly more formal or neutral, often found in written or formal speech.
- Jobber is more colloquial and common in everyday spoken Norwegian.
You could say either: - Han arbeider jevnt hver dag. (more formal)
- Han jobber jevnt hver dag. (more casual)
Why is hver dag in the singular form? Could it ever be plural?
When you use hver (each/every) in Norwegian, the noun that follows must be singular and indefinite.
- Correct: hver dag (each day / every day)
- Incorrect: hver dager
You cannot pluralize the noun after hver.
What is the word order rule for adverbs in “Han arbeider jevnt hver dag”?
Norwegian follows a Subject–Verb–Adverb–Time order when you have both a manner adverb and a time adverbial:
- Subject: Han
- Verb: arbeider
- Manner: jevnt
- Time: hver dag
Adverbs of manner (how) come before adverbials of time (when).
Could you omit jevnt, and what effect does that have?
Yes. If you say Han arbeider hver dag, it simply means “He works every day.” Removing jevnt drops the nuance of working steadily or evenly, so you lose that sense of pace.
How do you pronounce jevnt?
Jevnt is pronounced roughly [yevnt]:
- j as English “y” in “yes”
- v as in English “v”
- nt at the end is like “nt” in “went” (without the vowel)
Together: /yevnt/.
Could you use daglig instead of hver dag?
Yes. Daglig means “daily.” You can replace the time phrase:
- Han arbeider jevnt daglig.
However, using both jevnlig and hver dag or daglig in the same sentence can feel redundant. You’d typically choose one: - Han arbeider jevnt hver dag.
- Han arbeider daglig jevnt. (less common word order)
- Han arbeider daglig. (drops the manner nuance)
Why is the simple present tense used for a habitual action here?
In Norwegian (like in English), the simple present tense conveys habitual or repeated actions. Han arbeider jevnt hver dag naturally expresses that this is his daily routine.