Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Oljen blir varm i stekepannen, og hvitløken lukter sterkt. - The oil gets hot in the frying pan, and the garlic smells strong.

Because bli means “to become.” Oljen blir varm = “The oil is getting warm” (a change of state). Oljen er varm would simply state a current state (“The oil is warm”), without the idea of heating up.

Why is the adjective varm (not varmt or varme) after blir?

Predicative adjectives after bli (and være) agree with the subject:

Common-gender singular (like oljen) → varm
Neuter singular (e.g., smøret) → varmt: Smøret blir varmt.
Plural or definite with determiner (e.g., potetene) → varme: Potetene blir varme.

Why is it i stekepannen and not på stekepannen?

With cookware used as a container or surface for food, Norwegian typically uses i (“in”), even for frying pans: i stekepannen, i gryta, i ovnen. På stekepannen would suggest “on the outside/on top of the pan” (e.g., resting on the lid or the pan’s exterior), which is not what you mean here.

Why are the nouns in the definite form: oljen, stekepannen, hvitløken?

The definite form is used when the referent is specific or assumed to be known in context—“the oil (we’re using now),” “the frying pan (we’re cooking with),” “the garlic (in this dish).” If you were introducing them for the first time, you could use the indefinite: Olje blir varm i en stekepanne, but in a cooking context we often move quickly to the definite once the item is established.

Could I say i en stekepanne instead of i stekepannen?

Yes, if you’re speaking in general terms or introducing the pan: Oljen blir varm i en stekepanne. In recipes you’ll often see something like: Varm olje i en stekepanne. Oljen blir varm i stekepannen. First indefinite (new item), then definite (now known).

Why is there a comma before og?

Norwegian typically uses a comma between two independent main clauses with their own subjects, even when they’re joined by og: Oljen [S] blir [V] varm …, og hvitløken [S] lukter [V] sterkt. If the second part didn’t have its own subject, you would not use a comma: Oljen blir varm i stekepannen og lukter sterkt (here, “oljen” is the subject of both verbs, which changes the meaning).

Could I use mens instead of og?

Yes, but it changes the nuance. Mens emphasizes simultaneity or contrast: Oljen blir varm i stekepannen, mens hvitløken lukter sterkt. Og simply adds another statement.

Is the word order here an example of the V2 rule? Can I front phrases?

Yes. In main clauses Norwegian is V2 (the finite verb is in second position). In your sentence, Oljen (subject) is first, blir (verb) is second. You can front a phrase and still keep V2: I stekepannen blir oljen varm, og hvitløken lukter sterkt. The verb still stays second.

Why is it lukter sterkt and not lukter sterk/sterke?

Here sterkt functions as an adverb modifying the verb lukter (“smells strongly”). In Norwegian, many adverbs are formed from the neuter singular of the adjective: sterk → sterkt, god → godt, dårlig → dårlig (adjectives in -ig/-lig/-sk don’t add -t). You could also say lukter kraftig (adverb = same form as the adjective because of the -ig ending).

Does lukter mean “to smell (emit a smell)” or “to smell (sniff)”?

On its own, lukte generally means “to give off a smell”:

Hvitløken lukter sterkt. = “The garlic smells strong.” To mean “sniff,” use lukte på:
Jeg lukter på hvitløken. = “I smell/sniff the garlic.” To say something “smells like X,” use a complement:
Det lukter hvitløk her. = “It smells like garlic here.”

How do you pronounce the tricky parts like hvitløken, stekepannen, and sterkt?

hvitløken: The hv is pronounced like a v in most dialects, so roughly “VEET-lø-ken.” The vowel ø is like the vowel in British “bird” (rounded). The t in hvit is normally audible: “vit-løk-…”
stekepannen: “STEH-keh-pann-en.” All syllables are heard; the double n indicates a short vowel before it.
sterkt: Cluster pronounced with an audible r and kt: roughly “stairkt.”

Are forms like i stekepanna or olja acceptable?

Yes, in Bokmål many common nouns can use feminine -a in the definite singular. So stekepannen → stekepanna, oljen → olja. Both forms are correct in Bokmål. Hvitløk is typically treated as masculine; hvitløken is standard, while hvitløka is not standard in Bokmål. Style guides often advise being consistent with your -en/-a choices within a text.

Could I say Oljen varmes (opp) i stekepannen instead of blir varm?

You can, but it changes focus:

Oljen blir varm highlights the resulting state/change (“the oil is getting hot”).
Oljen varmes (opp) is passive and highlights the process (“the oil is being heated (up)” by something/someone). Both are grammatical; choose based on what you want to emphasize.

Is it possible to say Oljen varmer i stekepannen?

No, not with that meaning. Å varme (opp) is transitive (“to heat (up) something”), so you’d need an object: Jeg varmer (opp) oljen. Saying Oljen varmer … would mean “The oil heats (something),” which isn’t intended here.

Does sterk/sterkt also mean “spicy”? Could I say Hvitløken smaker sterkt?

Yes. Sterk can mean “strong/pungent” or “spicy/hot.”

Hvitløken lukter sterkt. = “The garlic smells strong/pungent.”
Hvitløken smaker sterkt. = “The garlic tastes strong/spicy.”
Context decides whether it’s about intensity or spiciness.

Are stekepanne and hvitløk compounds, and do I have to write them together?

Yes, they’re compounds and must be written as single words in Norwegian: steke + panne → stekepanne, hvit + løk → hvitløk. Don’t split them with a space.