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Ta av hatten når du går inn i huset.

Ta av hatten når du går inn i huset.
Take off your hat when you go into the house.
FromLesson 25inHardcore Norwegian
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Breakdown of Ta av hatten når du går inn i huset.

du
you
huset
the house
i
in
når
when
gå inn
to go in
hatten
the hat
ta av
to take off
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Questions & Answers about Ta av hatten når du går inn i huset.

How does the separable verb ta av function in this sentence?

Ta av is a separable verb (a phrasal verb) that means “to remove”. In its infinitive form it’s å ta av, and in the imperative you place ta first and the prefix av either before or after the object:
• Ta av hatten (prefix before object)
• Ta hatten av (prefix after object)
Both forms are correct and have the same meaning.

Why is hatten in its definite form instead of hatt or en hatt?
In Norwegian you add -en to make hatt definite (the hat). Here the hat is assumed known or obvious (your hat), so the definite form hatten is used. Saying en hatt would mean “a hat”, which isn’t as natural when you’re referring to one particular hat.
If I really wanted to say “take off your hat,” how would I include “your”?

There are two common ways:

  1. Ta av din hatt – literally “take off your hat.”
  2. Ta av deg hatten – using the reflexive pronoun deg (yourself).
    However, in a polite or general instruction Ta av hatten is usually enough, because it’s clear whose hat it is.
What is the role of når, and why is word order different in that clause?
  • når means “when” and introduces a subordinate temporal clause.
  • In subordinate clauses Norwegian follows subject-verb order (Verb Second), so after når you get når du går… (not når går du).
  • Note: når is used for present or future events (like instructions). For single past events you’d use da, but here når is correct.
Why do we say gå inn i huset instead of just gå i huset or gå inn huset?
  • inn is a directional adverb meaning “inwards”, and i is the preposition “in.”
  • Together inn i huset express “into the house.”
  • gå i huset would mean “walk around/inside the house” (location), not entering.
  • gå inn huset is ungrammatical because Norwegian requires the preposition i after inn in this context.
Why is there no subject pronoun at the start (du)?
In the imperative mood Norwegian normally omits the subject du (you). It’s understood from context, just like in English “Take off your hat!” rather than “You take off your hat!”
What’s the difference between Ta av hatten and Ta hatten av?

Both orders are allowed because ta av is separable.

  • Ta av hatten (prefix + object) is slightly more common and straightforward.
  • Ta hatten av (object + prefix) can add a bit of emphasis on hatt-en.
    Meaning stays the same; choice is mostly a matter of style or rhythm.