Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Kan du anbefale en bok?

Kan is the present tense of å kunne, meaning to be able to or can. Here it’s used to politely ask if someone is able (or willing) to recommend a book.

Why does the sentence start with the verb kan instead of du kan?

In Norwegian yes/no questions, you invert subject and verb (Verb–Subject order). So instead of du kan, you say kan du to form a question.

Why isn’t there an å before anbefale?

After a modal verb like kan, the next verb stays in the infinitive without the marker å. So you say kan anbefale, not kan å anbefale.

What part of speech is anbefale and what does it mean?

Anbefale is a verb in its infinitive form, meaning to recommend. You can use it with things (anbefale en bok), people (anbefale en venn), or actions.

How do you pronounce anbefale?

It has four syllables: an-be-fa-le.
Approximate pronunciation in English: AHN-beh-FAH-leh, with the main stress on the third syllable.