Rulletrappen virker ikke i dag.

The escalator does not work today.

Breakdown of Rulletrappen virker ikke i dag.

• i dag: today
• ikke: not
• virke: to work
• rulletrappen: the escalator

Questions & Answers about Rulletrappen virker ikke i dag.

Why is the noun in the definite form (rulletrappen) instead of just rulletrapp?

Norwegian usually marks definiteness with a suffix on the noun. Because we’re referring to a specific, context-known escalator, the definite singular is used:

• Indefinite: en/ei rulletrapp (an escalator)
• Definite: rulletrappen or rulletrappa (the escalator)

Can I say rulletrappa instead of rulletrappen?

Yes. In Bokmål, nouns that are historically feminine (like trapp) can be treated as either feminine or masculine.

• Feminine: ei rulletrapp – rulletrappa
• Masculine: en rulletrapp – rulletrappen Pick one system and be consistent within a text; both are common and correct.

Could I use fungerer instead of virker?

Yes. Rulletrappen fungerer ikke i dag is fully natural.

• virke = to work/function, to have an effect, and also to seem
• fungere = to function (neutral/technical) For mechanical devices, both are fine; fungere can sound a touch more technical, virke is very common in everyday speech.

Does virker also mean “seems”? Is that confusing here?