Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Det er utendørs kino i kveld, men skjermen er synlig selv i svakt dagslys. - There is an outdoor cinema tonight, but the screen is visible even in dim daylight.

Here, det is a dummy subject (an expletive), like English “there” in “There is…”. Det er is the standard way to present or announce something: “There is/There’s going to be…”. It doesn’t refer to any specific “it.”

Could I use "Det blir" instead of "Det er" for an event later today?

Yes. Det blir utendørs kino i kveld focuses on the upcoming occurrence (“there will be…”/“it’s happening”), while Det er … i kveld is also idiomatic when talking about scheduled events later the same day. Both are fine; blir can sound a touch more “future/arranged.”

Why is it indefinite "utendørs kino" and not "utendørskinoen"?

Because you’re introducing an event in general (“there is an outdoor cinema [showing] tonight”). In Norwegian, new, nonspecific mentions typically use the indefinite. Use the definite (kinoen) only when the specific cinema/showing is already known in the context.

Is "utendørs" an adjective here, and does it change form?

Utendørs can function adjectivally (“outdoor”) or adverbially (“outdoors”), and it is invariable (it does not add endings). So you say en utendørs kino, et utendørs arrangement, flere utendørs arrangementer—always utendørs.

Could I say "I kveld er det utendørs kino" instead? Is the word order OK?

Yes. I kveld er det utendørs kino is perfectly natural. If you front an adverbial like i kveld, Norwegian keeps the verb in second position (V2), so er follows immediately.

Is the comma before "men" required?

Yes. Men is a coordinating conjunction linking two main clauses, and standard punctuation places a comma before it: …, men ….

What does "selv" mean here? Isn’t "selv" usually "self"?

Here selv means “even.” In this use it intensifies a phrase: selv i svakt dagslys = “even in weak daylight.” Don’t confuse it with reflexive selv (“self”) or with selv om (“even though”).

Could I use "til og med" instead of "selv"?

Yes. Til og med i svakt dagslys also means “even in weak daylight.” Selv is shorter and very common before prepositional phrases; til og med often highlights a surprising item in a list, but both work here.

Why "svakt" and not "svak"?

Agreement. Dagslys is neuter (from lys, which is neuter), so the adjective takes the neuter singular ending -t: svakt. Masculine/feminine would be svak, plural/definite would be svake.

Should it be "i svakt dagslys" or "i svakt dagslyset"?

Use the indefinite: i svakt dagslys (“in weak daylight”). Time/light/weather nouns like dagslys are typically indefinite in such set phrases. The definite dagslyset would mean “the [specific] daylight,” which isn’t needed here.

Why is it "skjermen" (definite) in the second clause?

Because the screen is now a specific, contextually identifiable thing—the screen used for the outdoor cinema you just mentioned. Norwegian often switches to the definite for things that are unique/understood from context: skjermen = “the screen.”

Is "skjerm" the best word for a cinema screen, or should it be "lerret"?

Both occur. Lerret (lerretet) is a projection screen (literally “canvas”) and is classic for projectors. Skjerm (skjermen) is a “screen” more generally (LED screen, TV, monitor). For an outdoor LED display, skjermen is natural; for a projector, lerretet may be more precise.

Could I say "tydelig" instead of "synlig"?

They’re different:

Synlig = “visible” (you can see it at all).
Tydelig = “clear/distinct” (easy to make out). Here, synlig is right if the point is that it can be seen even in daylight. Tydelig would stress clarity, not mere visibility.

Can I move "selv i svakt dagslys" to the front?

Yes: Selv i svakt dagslys er skjermen synlig. When you front that adverbial, keep the verb second: er comes right after the fronted phrase.

What’s the difference between "i kveld" and "om/på kvelden"?

i kveld = “this evening/tonight” (specific, this coming evening).
om kvelden/på kvelden = “in the evenings” (habitual/generic).
So for a one-off tonight, use i kveld.

Could I say "kino utendørs" instead of "utendørs kino"? What about one word?

Kino utendørs is fine and a bit more colloquial/informal.
Utendørs kino is very natural in standard writing.
A single-word compound like utendørskino is seen, but utendørs kino (two words) is the safest, most common choice in Bokmål. You may also see alternatives like friluftskino.

Any quick pronunciation tips for tricky parts?

utendørs: stress the second part: u-ten-DØRS (ø like German ö).
skjermen: skj is the Norwegian “sh” sound; r is tapped; approx. “SHER-men.”
dagslys: two clear syllables: DAGS-lys; many pronounce the gs cluster close to “dax.”
svakt: final -t is pronounced; v is voiced.