Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Treningen er viktig for god helse. - Training is important for good health.

In Norwegian, adding -en makes a noun definite. So trening is “exercise” in general (indefinite), while treningen is “the exercise.” When talking about exercise as a concept or habit, Norwegians often use the definite form, which in English we naturally render simply as “exercise.” Thus Treningen er viktig literally says “The exercise is important,” but we understand it as “Exercise is important.”

What does the -en ending on treningen signify?

The -en suffix is the definite article attached to a common-gender noun in Bokmål. Examples: • en bil → bilen (the car)
• et hus → huset (the house)
• trening → treningen (the exercise)

Why is there no article before god helse?

Abstract or mass nouns like helse (health) usually appear without an article when you speak generally. god helse simply means “good health.” Adding an article (for example, den gode helse) would sound odd unless you referred to a specific health state mentioned earlier.

Why isn’t helse in the plural or definite form?

Helse is an uncountable, abstract noun, so it stays singular and indefinite when you talk about it broadly. You can’t say helsene (“the healths”) because health isn’t countable. Using a definite form like den gode helsa only makes sense if you’re pointing back to a particular case of health.

How does the preposition for function in viktig for god helse?

Here for means “for” or “to maintain.” The pattern viktig for + noun corresponds to English “important for [noun].” Examples: • Det er viktig for meg. – It’s important to/for me.
• Vaksinen er viktig for folkehelsa. – The vaccine is important for public health.

What part of speech is viktig, and why does it come after er?

viktig is an adjective meaning “important.” In the sentence Treningen er viktig, it’s a predicate adjective describing the subject. Norwegian places adjectives after the linking verb er (to be) just like English does in “The exercise is important.”