Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Jeg må bestille taxi til flyplassen.

Må is a modal verb meaning “must” or “have to.” It expresses necessity or obligation. In this sentence, the structure is:
– Jeg (I) + må (must) + infinitive (bestille) → “I have to order…”

Why doesn’t bestille change to bestiller after må?

After a modal verb like må, the main verb stays in the infinitive form. You don’t conjugate it. So you say må bestille, not må bestiller.

Why is there no indefinite article before taxi? Can I say bestille en taxi?

When you “order (a) taxi” as a service, Norwegians often drop the article: bestille taxi. However, it’s also perfectly fine to say bestille en taxi if you want to emphasize “a taxi.”

Is taxi the only word for “taxi” in Norwegian?

No. The more traditional Norwegian word is drosje. You can say:
– Jeg må bestille drosje til flyplassen.
Taxi is a direct loan from English and is widely understood.

Why is flyplassen in the definite form instead of flyplass?

Flyplassen means “the airport.” We use the definite because you’re referring to a specific airport (e.g. the one you’re flying from). The indefinite would be flyplass (“an airport”).

Why do we use til flyplassen here rather than på flyplassen?

– Til expresses movement toward a destination: “to the airport.”
– På would indicate location: “at the airport.”
Since you’re going there, til is the correct choice.

How does using må affect the word order in this sentence?

In Norwegian main clauses, the finite verb (here må) must be in second position. The order is:

Subject (Jeg)
Finite verb (må)
Rest of the clause (bestille taxi til flyplassen)

Can I omit Jeg in this sentence and just say Må bestille taxi til flyplassen?

Yes, in casual spoken or written Norwegian you can drop the subject pronoun:
– Må bestille taxi til flyplassen.
However, in formal or complete sentences, you’d usually include Jeg.