Questions & Answers about Kvelden blir kjøligere enn dagen.
Can I use er instead of blir here?
Yes. Blir highlights change or becoming (“as evening arrives, it gets cooler”), while er simply states a static comparison (“evening is cooler than the day”). Both are correct:
- Kvelden blir kjøligere enn dagen. = emphasizes the transition
- Kvelden er kjøligere enn dagen. = states a general fact
Why are kvelden and dagen in the definite form?
Norwegian often uses definite singular to talk about parts of the day in a generic sense (the category “evening,” “day”). Alternatives:
- Kvelder (blir/er) kjøligere enn dager. (indefinite plural; also fine)
- Det blir kjøligere om kvelden enn om dagen. (very natural, using time adverbials) Using bare singular indefinite (e.g., kveld) for a generic statement is not idiomatic.
Could the sentence refer to tonight rather than a general statement?
Context decides. With no context, it’s typically generic. In a weather-report context, Kvelden blir kjøligere enn dagen can mean “This evening will be cooler than the daytime (today).” Norwegian present tense often covers near-future. To be unambiguously “tonight,” use i kveld: Det blir kjøligere i kveld.
How is kjøligere formed, and what’s the superlative?