Question 1

What form of the noun is “Skoene,” and what are the other forms?

Accepted Answer

It’s the definite plural: “the shoes.” The full paradigm in Bokmål is:
- en sko = a shoe (indefinite singular)
- skoen = the shoe (definite singular)
- sko = shoes (indefinite plural; same as singular form)
- skoene = the shoes (definite plural)

Question 2

Why isn’t there an extra “er” (to be) in the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Because passer is the main verb meaning “fit.” You don’t combine it with “er.” So “Skoene passer” is correct, while “Skoene er passer” is ungrammatical. If you want to use “er,” you need an adjective: “Skoene er passende” (the shoes are suitable/appropriate), which is possible but not what you say about size in everyday speech.

Question 3

Does the verb change with plural subjects in Norwegian?

Accepted Answer

No. Verbs don’t agree with number or person. You use passer for both singular and plural:
- Skjerfet passer. = The scarf fits.
- Skoene passer. = The shoes fit.

Question 4

How do you pronounce “Skoene passer”?

Accepted Answer

Approximately: “SKOO-eh-neh PAH-sehr.”
- IPA: [ˈskuːənə ˈpɑsːər]
Notes:
- “sk” is [sk] here (not “sh”).
- The “o” in “sko” is a long [uː].
- The -ene ending is pronounced roughly “-eh-neh.”

Question 5

Where do negation and adverbs go?

Accepted Answer

In a main clause, they typically come right after the verb:
- Negation: “Skoene passer ikke.”
- Adverbs: “Skoene passer veldig godt/bra.”
If you front something (like a time expression), the verb still stays in second position:
- “I dag passer skoene veldig godt.”

Question 6

How do I ask a yes/no question with this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Use inversion (no “do”-support):
- “Passer skoene?”
With a pronoun:
- “Passer de?”
Negative question:
- “Passer ikke skoene?”

Question 7

How do I say “They fit me / They don’t fit me”?

Accepted Answer

You can include an object pronoun:
- “De passer meg.” = They fit me.
- “De passer meg ikke.” or “De passer ikke (meg).”
With the noun:
- “Skoene passer meg.” is also used.
Note: “passe” with a person can also mean “suit” (be suitable), especially with times or plans: “Det passer meg.”

Question 8

How do I say “match” (go with) rather than “fit (size)”?

Accepted Answer

Use a preposition:
- “Skoene passer til kjolen.” = The shoes match the dress.
- “Skoene passer med veska.” = The shoes go with the bag.
For “look good on,” use “kle”: “Skoene kler deg.”

Question 9

Is there any difference between “bra” and “godt” after “passer”?

Accepted Answer

Both are common and natural:
- “Skoene passer bra.”
- “Skoene passer godt.”
“Bra” is very frequent in speech; “godt” is a bit more formal/literary but still everyday.

Question 10

How do I add a possessive like “my”?

Accepted Answer

Two options:
- Postposed (very common, definite noun): “Skoene mine passer.” = My shoes fit.
- Preposed (indefinite plural): “Mine sko passer.”
Both are fine; the postposed version often feels more specific/natural in many contexts.

Question 11

Are there variety differences (Bokmål vs Nynorsk)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In Nynorsk you’ll often see:
- “Skoa passar.” or “Skorne passar.” (definite plural forms)
In Bokmål (what you have here): “Skoene passer.”

Question 12

What are common pitfalls with this verb and sentence?

Accepted Answer

- Don’t say “Skoene er passer.” Use “Skoene passer.”
- Don’t confuse “passer” with “passerer” (to pass by). “Skoene passerer” is wrong here.
- For size, don’t use “passer til meg.” Prefer “passer meg.” “Passer til” is for matching (“passer til kjolen”).
- Spelling: not “skor” (that’s Swedish); in Bokmål it’s “sko/skoene.”

Question 13

Can I move elements to the front for emphasis?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but keep verb-second word order:
- Neutral: “Skoene passer.”
- Fronted time: “Nå passer skoene.”
- Fronted object phrase: “Til kjolen passer skoene perfekt.”

Skoene passer.

Breakdown of Skoene passer.

Questions & Answers about Skoene passer.

Master Norwegian — from Skoene passer to fluency