Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Jeg feier gulvet med en kost før gjestene kommer. - I sweep the floor with a broom before the guests arrive.

In this sentence, feier is the present tense of å feie (to sweep). Don’t confuse it with feirer, the present tense of å feire (to celebrate). One letter makes the difference:

Jeg feier gulvet = I sweep the floor.
Jeg feirer = I celebrate. Also note: en feier is a noun meaning “a chimney sweep.”

Why is it gulvet (the floor) and not just gulv (a floor)?

Norwegian often uses the definite form for specific, familiar things in the immediate context (like “the floor” of your home). Tasks around the house frequently take the definite: vaske bilen (wash the car), rydde bordet (clear the table), feie gulvet (sweep the floor). Using the indefinite here would sound like you’re talking about some random floor, not the one in your home.

Why does the definite end in -et? Why not gulven?

Because gulv is a neuter noun. Its key forms are:

Indefinite singular: et gulv
Definite singular: gulvet
Indefinite plural: gulv
Definite plural: gulvene

Why “med en kost”? Could I drop the article and say “med kost”?

Use the article for countable singular instruments: med en kost (with a broom). Omitting the article (med kost) is uncommon and can sound telegraphic unless it’s part of a fixed expression. If you mean a specific broom already known in context, you can say med kosten (with the broom).

Does kost also mean “diet/board”? Isn’t that confusing?

Yes, Norwegian kost can be:

a broom (masculine noun): en kost, kosten
diet/board/food (masculine noun): kost (as in kost og losji = board and lodging) Context disambiguates. For monetary “cost,” Norwegian uses kostnad (expense) or omkostninger (costs), not plain kost.

What’s the difference between å feie and å koste for “to sweep”?

Both are used to mean “to sweep” a surface:

Jeg feier/koster gulvet. = I sweep the floor. Be aware å koste also means “to cost”: Det koster 100 kroner (It costs 100 kroner). Context and the subject usually make it clear.

Why is it “før gjestene kommer” and not “før kommer gjestene”?

Because før introduces a subordinate clause. In Norwegian subordinate clauses, you do not have V2 inversion; you keep Subject–Verb order: gjestene kommer. “Før kommer gjestene” would be ungrammatical in this use.

Can I move the time clause to the front?

Yes: Før gjestene kommer, feier jeg gulvet med en kost. When you front something (the time clause), the main clause follows the V2 rule, so the verb comes second: feier jeg (not “jeg feier”).

Why present tense for a future event?

Norwegian often uses the present tense for scheduled or near-future events when there’s a time reference: før gjestene kommer = “before the guests come/arrive.” You could also say Jeg skal feie gulvet før gjestene kommer, but the simple present is natural.

What’s the difference between før and først?

før = “before” (time relation): før gjestene kommer (before the guests come)
først = “first/at first”: Først feier jeg, så vasker jeg (First I sweep, then I wash)

How is før different from innen?

før means “earlier than/before” another event: før midnatt (before midnight).
innen means “by/no later than” a deadline: innen midnatt (by midnight).
So you sweep før they arrive; you must finish innen 18:00 if that’s your deadline.

Should there be a comma before “før gjestene kommer”?

A comma is not required here, and many writers omit it: … med en kost før gjestene kommer.
Adding a comma is acceptable, especially if the clause is long or you want a pause: …, før gjestene kommer fra flyplassen og skal rett til middag.

Any pronunciation tips for tricky parts?

gjestene: The “gj” is pronounced like English “y” in “yes” (the g is silent): “yestene.”
feier: “ei” is like English “eye”: “FYE-er.”
kost: “o” is like “oo” in “boot.”
gulvet: Norwegian “u” is a fronted vowel (not exactly English “oo”); aim for a rounded, front “oo”-like sound.

Why definite plural “gjestene” and not just “gjester”?

Gjestene means “the guests” (a known, specific group you’re expecting). Gjester would be “guests” in general or some unspecified guests.

Could I place “med en kost” later, like “… før gjestene kommer med en kost”?

Avoid that. … før gjestene kommer med en kost would most naturally mean “before the guests arrive with a broom,” attaching “with a broom” to the guests’ arrival. Keep the instrument close to the verb: feier gulvet med en kost.

Can I use ankommer instead of kommer?

You can, but ankommer is formal and often used for transport schedules (trains/planes). With people, kommer is the everyday choice. Alternatives: ankommer (formal), kommer (neutral), dukker opp (turn up, informal).