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Questions & Answers about Musikken er rytmisk.
Why is it Musikken and not musikk?
Norwegian puts the definite article on the end of the noun. musikk = music; musikken = the music. You use musikken when you mean specific music already known from context; use bare musikk for music in general.
Could I say Musikk er rytmisk?
Yes, but it changes the meaning. Musikk er rytmisk is a general statement about music as a concept. Musikken er rytmisk talks about particular music (for example, the track that’s playing).
Why is the adjective rytmisk (not rytmiske) after er?
After a form of å være (to be), adjectives are in the predicative and don’t take the definite -e just because the noun is definite. So: Musikken er rytmisk (not rytmiske). Predicative adjectives do, however, mark plural and (often) neuter.
So when do I use rytmiske?
- Attributive with a definite noun: den rytmiske musikken (the rhythmic music).
- Predicative with a plural subject: Sangene er rytmiske (The songs are rhythmic).
What about neuter and adjectives in -sk/-isk?