Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Jeg merker at du er trøtt.

merker comes from the verb merke, which means “to notice,” “to sense,” or “to feel.” In Jeg merker at du er trøtt, it conveys that you’re perceiving or becoming aware of someone’s tiredness—often through subtle observation or intuition rather than a direct statement.

Why is at used here, and can you leave it out?

at is the subordinating conjunction equivalent to “that.” It links the main clause (Jeg merker) with the subordinate clause (du er trøtt).
• In formal writing and speech, you should always include at.
• In casual spoken Norwegian, you might hear people drop it (e.g., Jeg merker du er trøtt), but that’s considered colloquial.

How does word order work in the subordinate clause du er trøtt?

Unlike German, Norwegian subordinate clauses do not push the verb to the end. They keep the verb in second position. So the structure is:
1) du (subject)
2) er (verb)
3) trøtt (complement)

What’s the difference between jeg merker and jeg legger merke til?

• merke = “to notice,” “to sense.”
• legge merke til = literally “to lay notice to,” meaning “to observe” or “to take note of.”
Both convey noticing, but jeg legger merke til at du er trøtt can feel slightly more formal or emphasised than jeg merker at du er trøtt.

How do I pronounce trøtt, especially the ø sound?

The ø is similar to the vowel in French bleu or the u in British English turn.
In IPA you’ll see it as [trœt].
So trøtt is pronounced roughly like “trœt” with a rounded front vowel.

Can merke ever be used reflexively as merke seg?

Yes. merke seg means “to take note of” or “to register in one’s mind.”
Example: Jeg merker meg at du er trøtt. (“I’ll note that you’re tired.”)
It’s correct but gives a sense of deliberately making a mental note.

Are there other words to express “tired” in Norwegian?

Yes. Common synonyms include:

sliten – exhausted, worn-out
trett – tired (alternate spelling/form)
utmattet – very weary, fatigued
But trøtt is the most straightforward translation of “tired.”