Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Hvilke skåler trenger vi til salaten?

hvilke = which (plural), used before plural nouns: Hvilke skåler... (Which bowls...)
hvilken = which (singular, common gender): Hvilken skål... (Which bowl...)
hvilket = which (singular, neuter): Hvilket glass... (Which glass...)

Why is skåler in the plural and indefinite? Could it be definite?

With hvilke, you normally use the plural indefinite form because you’re asking an open choice: Hvilke skåler... (not definite).
If you want to choose from a known, specific set, use: Hvilke av skålene... (“Which of the bowls...”) where skålene is definite plural.
Forms of skål (Bokmål, masculine): en skål (sg. indef.), skålen (sg. def.), skåler (pl. indef.), skålene (pl. def.).

Why is salaten definite? Could I say til salat instead?

til salaten = “for the salad” (a specific salad both speakers know about).
til salat = “for salad (in general)” or “to go with salad,” not a particular one. Use definite when you have a particular salad in mind; use indefinite for general statements.

Why does the verb come before the subject here?

Norwegian main-clause questions follow the V2 rule (the verb is in the second position). The first “slot” is the question phrase (Hvilke skåler), so the finite verb comes next (trenger), and the subject follows (vi):

Hvilke skåler (1) trenger (2) vi (3) til salaten?

Why is the preposition til used instead of for, i, or på?

til often expresses purpose or relation: til salaten = “for/with the salad.”
i salaten = “in the salad” (ingredients): Hva har du i salaten?
på salaten = “on the salad” (toppings): Hva vil du ha på salaten?
for salaten is generally not used for purpose here and sounds wrong.

Can I drop the subject vi?

No. Norwegian normally requires an explicit subject. You can, however, make it impersonal with the passive:

Hvilke skåler trengs til salaten? (Which bowls are needed for the salad?)

How do I pronounce the sentence?

A rough guide:

hvilke: “VIL-keh” (the h in hv is silent)
skåler: “SKOH-ler” (long å like the vowel in English “more”)
trenger: “TREN-ger” (the ng like “sing”)
vi: “vee”
til: like English “till”
salaten: “sa-LAH-ten” (stress on the middle syllable)

What gender is skål, and what are its forms?

In Bokmål it’s commonly masculine: en skål, skålen, skåler, skålene.
Many speakers also accept a feminine variant: ei skål, skåla (then plurals as usual: skåler, skålene).

Does skål also mean “cheers”? Could that be confusing?

Yes, Skål! is the common toast (“Cheers!”). In your sentence, the plural skåler (bowls) and the context make the meaning unambiguous.

How would I ask about just one bowl or about the type of bowl?

One bowl: Hvilken skål trenger vi til salaten?
Type/kind: Hva slags skåler trenger vi til salaten? or Hvilken type skåler trenger vi til salaten?

Can I move til salaten earlier, like Hvilke skåler til salaten trenger vi?

It’s possible but sounds marked or a bit awkward. The natural place for til salaten is at the end: Hvilke skåler trenger vi til salaten?

What’s the difference between trenger, må, bør, and skal bruke?

trenger = need (requirement): Hvilke skåler trenger vi...
må = must/have to (strong obligation): Hvilke skåler må vi ha...
bør = should/ought to (recommendation): Hvilke skåler bør vi bruke...
skal bruke = shall/will use (plan/decision): Hvilke skåler skal vi bruke...

Can I say Hva skåler trenger vi...?

No. hva by itself doesn’t modify nouns. Use hvilke for “which (ones)” or hva slags for “what kind of”:

Hvilke skåler...
Hva slags skåler...

How does this look embedded in a larger sentence?

In embedded questions, the verb is no longer in second position:

Jeg lurer på hvilke skåler vi trenger til salaten. Here the order is: question phrase + subject (vi) + verb (trenger).

Are there informal alternatives to hvilke?

Yes. In everyday speech you may hear:

Hva for noen skåler trenger vi til salaten? (plural)
Hva for en skål trenger vi til salaten? (singular) These are informal but common.

Could I use bolle instead of skål?

Sometimes. bolle can mean a large mixing/serving bowl, but boller also means “buns” (pastries). Without context, boller is more likely understood as buns. If you mean bowls:

Use skål/skåler for tableware bowls (safe and clear).
Use a specific term like rørebolle (mixing bowl) or salatbolle (salad bowl) if size/function matters.