Breakdown of Hun liker et ryddig kjøkken om morgenen.
hun
she
et
a
like
to like
morgenen
the morning
kjøkkenet
the kitchen
om
in
ryddig
tidy
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Norwegian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Hun liker et ryddig kjøkken om morgenen.
Why is it “et ryddig kjøkken” and not “en” or “ei”?
Because kjøkken is a neuter noun in Bokmål, so its indefinite article is et.
- Masculine: en
- Feminine: ei (often replaced by en in Bokmål)
- Neuter: et
Why doesn’t “ryddig” take a -t in the neuter?
Adjectives ending in -ig, -lig, and -som do not add -t in the neuter. So it’s et ryddig kjøkken, not “et ryddigt kjøkken.” Compare: et pent hus (from pen → pent) vs. et billig hus (no -t after -ig).
Why is “morgenen” in the definite form?
With time expressions that mean something habitual or generic, Norwegian uses the definite after om: om morgenen (in the mornings), om kvelden (in the evenings), om natten, om vinteren. Saying “om morgen” would be incorrect.
Can I use “på morgenen” instead of “om morgenen”?
Yes. Both occur. Broadly:
- om morgenen is very common for routines/habits.
- på morgenen is also acceptable and is often used regionally or for a specific morning (e.g., på morgenen 5. mai).
How do I say “this morning” or “tomorrow morning”?
- This morning: i morges
- Tomorrow morning: i morgen tidlig (early), or i morgen formiddag (late morning) Don’t use om morgenen for a one-off morning in the past or future.
Can I move the time phrase to the front?
Yes: Om morgenen liker hun et ryddig kjøkken. Norwegian main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb (liker) stays in second position even when another element is fronted.
Where does the negation go?
After the finite verb:
- Hun liker ikke et ryddig kjøkken om morgenen.
- With an infinitive: Hun liker ikke å ha et ryddig kjøkken om morgenen. With fronting: Om morgenen liker hun ikke …
Is Hun liker et ryddig kjøkken … the most natural way to express this idea?
It’s fine, but many speakers also say:
- Hun liker å ha et ryddig kjøkken om morgenen.
- Hun liker at kjøkkenet er ryddig om morgenen. These versions make the “having/being tidy” part explicit.
How would I say “She likes the tidy kitchen …” (a specific kitchen)?
Use the definite “double definiteness” pattern:
- Hun liker det ryddige kjøkkenet om morgenen. Pattern: det/den/de + adjective with -e + noun in definite form.
What’s the difference between ryddig and ren?
- ryddig = tidy, orderly (things are put away)
- ren = clean (no dirt) You can combine them: et ryddig og rent kjøkken. Neuter of ren is rent: et rent kjøkken.
How do you pronounce the tricky parts?
Approximate guide:
- kjøkken: kj is a soft hissing sound [ç], like German “ich”; ø is like British “nurse” but with rounded lips.
- ryddig: y is like German “ü”/French “u”; final -ig may sound like [ig] or [i].
- morgenen: often close to “morn-en”; the g can be weak or silent in many accents.
Why is it Hun and not Henne?
Hun is the subject form (she). Henne is the object form (her). Here, she’s the subject of the verb liker.
Can I say Hun liker kjøkkenet ryddig om morgenen?
Yes. That’s a common construction meaning she likes the kitchen to be tidy: object (kjøkkenet) + predicate adjective (ryddig). It’s close to Hun liker å ha kjøkkenet ryddig …
Do I need a comma before the time phrase?
No. Hun liker et ryddig kjøkken om morgenen. If you front it, you still don’t need a comma: Om morgenen liker hun et ryddig kjøkken.
How do I make a yes/no question from this sentence?
Invert the subject and verb:
- Statement: Hun liker et ryddig kjøkken om morgenen.
- Question: Liker hun et ryddig kjøkken om morgenen?
Can I drop the article and say Hun liker ryddig kjøkken?
No. With a singular count noun modified by an adjective, Norwegian normally requires the article: et ryddig kjøkken. A bare form like ryddig kjøkken sounds wrong here.