Breakdown of Jeg låser sykkelen i sykkelstativet utenfor skyskraperen.
jeg
I
i
in
sykkelen
the bicycle
utenfor
outside
låse
to lock
sykkelstativet
the bike rack
skyskraperen
the skyscraper
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Questions & Answers about Jeg låser sykkelen i sykkelstativet utenfor skyskraperen.
What is the meaning and form of låser here?
Låser is the present tense 1st person singular of the verb å låse, which means “to lock.” So Jeg låser translates as “I lock” or “I am locking.”
Why is sykkelen in the definite form rather than indefinite?
In Norwegian, a definite singular noun takes a suffix. Sykkelen (bike + –en) means “the bike.” We use the definite form when the bike is specific or already known in context.
Why do we use i before sykkelstativet? Could we use på or til instead?
In this fixed expression, låse noe i stativet means “lock something in the rack/framework.” På stativet would literally mean “on the rack” and doesn’t convey locking into its structure. You can also say låse fast sykkelen til sykkelstativet (“lock the bike securely to the rack”).
Why is sykkelstativet written as one word, and what does the –et ending signify?
Norwegian uses compound nouns. Sykkelstativ combines sykkel (bike) + stativ (stand/rack). The –et suffix marks it as definite singular: sykkelstativet = “the bike rack.”
What’s the difference between foran and utenfor, and why is utenfor used here?
Foran means “in front of” (directly in front, often right up against). Utenfor means “outside of” (outside the boundary or perimeter). Utenfor skyskraperen places the bike rack outside the skyscraper’s property or footprint, not just directly in front of its door.
Why is skyskraperen in the definite form?
Like sykkelen, skyskraperen (skyscraper + –en) is definite singular: “the skyscraper.” We use it because it refers to a specific, known building.
Could I say Jeg låser sykkelen fast instead of Jeg låser sykkelen?
Yes. Å låse fast means “to secure firmly.” You could say Jeg låser sykkelen fast i sykkelstativet (“I lock the bike securely in the rack”) to emphasize that it’s locked tightly.
Why is the present tense used here instead of the past (e.g., låste) or present perfect (har låst)?
Norwegians often use the present tense to describe a current action or to narrate something as it happens. In speech, you might also use the present perfect (Jeg har låst sykkelen) to say “I have locked the bike,” but describing the action you’re doing right now, låser (present) is most natural.