Kan du skru av lyset?

Can you turn off the light?

Breakdown of Kan du skru av lyset?

• du: you
• kunne: can
• lyset: the light
• skru av: to turn off

Questions & Answers about Kan du skru av lyset?

Why is the verb first (Kan du) instead of after the subject (Du kan)?

In yes/no questions, Norwegian puts the finite verb before the subject. Compare:

• Declarative: Du kan skru av lyset.
• Yes/no question: Kan du skru av lyset? This inversion is the normal way to form a direct yes/no question in Norwegian.

Do I need å before skru (Kan du å skru …)?

No. After modal verbs you do not use å. So it’s Kan du skru …, not “Kan du å skru …”. Common modals: kan, vil, skal, må, bør, kunne, ville, skulle, måtte. With non-modals, you use å: e.g., Prøv å skru av lyset.

What exactly is skru av? Is av part of the verb?

Yes. Skru av is a particle (phrasal) verb meaning “turn off” (by using a switch/knob). Here av is an adverbial particle linked to skru; it’s not a preposition governing the noun.

• It can also mean “unscrew” in the right context: skru av lokket (unscrew the lid).
• With lights/electrics, it means “switch off.”

Can I say Skru lyset av instead of Skru av lyset?

Yes, with a full noun both orders are fine:

• Skru av lyset.
• Skru lyset av. With a pronoun, put the pronoun between verb and particle:
• Skru det av. (natural)
• “Skru av det” sounds odd in standard usage.

Why is it lyset (definite) and not just lys?

Norwegian typically uses the definite form when referring to the room’s lighting as a known, specific thing: lyset (“the light/the lighting”). Forms of this neuter noun:

• Indefinite singular: et lys (a light/candle)
• Definite singular: lyset (the light/lighting)
• Indefinite plural: lys (lights)
• Definite plural: lysene (the lights)

Could I say lampen instead of lyset?

You can, but it changes the reference. Lyset refers to the lighting in the room in general. Lampen means “the lamp” (a specific fixture). If you literally want one lamp off, say Kan du skru av lampen?; if you mean the room lighting, lyset is more idiomatic.

Is skru av the only way? What about slå av or slukke?

• Skru av lyset and slå av lyset are both common for switching off electric light.
• Slukke lyset means “extinguish the light” and works for both electric light and flames; it’s very common in everyday speech: Slukk lyset! Use whichever fits your style/region; all three are widely understood.

Does kan here mean “are you able,” or is it just a polite request?

Both are possible, but in everyday speech Kan du …? is a standard way to make a polite request, not only to ask about ability. Alternatives:

• Vil du skru av lyset? (appeals to willingness)
• Kunne du skru av lyset? (softer/more polite, like “Could you …?”)

How do I make it extra polite?

• Kunne du skru av lyset?
• Kan du være så snill og/å skru av lyset? Note on og/å after “vær så snill”: both occur; many guides recommend og, but å is also widely used and accepted.

Where does ikke go if I want to negate it?

• Statement: Du kan ikke skru av lyset.
• Yes/no question: Kan du ikke skru av lyset? (Can’t you turn off the light?) Depending on tone, this can be a neutral question or sound a bit like a complaint. For a direct negative command: Ikke skru av lyset.

What happens if I replace lyset with a pronoun?

Use the neuter pronoun det and place it between verb and particle:

• Kan du skru det av? This word order (verb + pronoun + particle) is the natural choice with weak pronouns.

How is the sentence pronounced?

Approximate Oslo-area pronunciation: [kɑn dʉː skrʉː ɑː ˈlʏːsə] Tips:

• u in du/skru is a close, fronted sound [ʉ] (not like English “oo”).
• y in lyset is [ʏ] (rounded “ee” sound).
• av is often pronounced [ɑː] (the v is typically silent before a pause or consonant).
• The final -et in lyset is a light schwa [ə].

How would I say it to more than one person?

Use the plural “you” pronoun dere:

• Kan dere skru av lyset?

What are the key forms of skru I should know?

• Infinitive: skru
• Present: skrur
• Preterite: skrudde
• Past participle: skrudd
• Imperative: skru! Examples:
• Jeg skrur av lyset nå.
• Han skrudde av lyset i går.
• Vi har skrudd av lyset.

How do I answer this kind of request briefly?

• Yes: Ja, det kan jeg. / Selvfølgelig.
• No: Nei, det kan jeg ikke. / Beklager, jeg kan ikke.

What are other useful particle combinations with skru?

• skru på (turn on): Skru på lyset.
• skru av (turn off): Skru av TV-en.
• skru opp/ned (turn up/down): Skru ned lyden.
• skru igjen (screw shut): Skru igjen lokket.