Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Hensynet til naboene er viktig. - The consideration for the neighbors is important.

It’s the noun "hensyn" (consideration/regard) in the definite singular: "hensynet" = "the consideration." Norwegian often uses the definite form to refer to a specific, contextually understood concept—here, the particular consideration one should show to neighbors. "Hensyn til naboene er viktig" (indefinite "hensyn") is possible but less idiomatic in this structure. Note: in the set phrase "av hensyn til" you must use the indefinite ("hensyn"), not "hensynet."

What are the base form and inflections of "hensyn"?

Gender: neuter (et hensyn)
Indefinite singular: et hensyn
Definite singular: hensynet
Indefinite plural: hensyn
Definite plural: hensynene It’s often used as an uncountable noun, but the plural exists (e.g., "ulike hensyn" = various considerations).

Why is the adjective "viktig" not "viktigt"?

Adjectives ending in -ig (also -lig, -sk) do not take the neuter -t. Predicative forms:

Singular (common or neuter): ... er viktig
Plural: ... er viktige Attributive examples:
et viktig poeng (neuter; no -t)
viktige poenger (plural)
det viktige poenget (definite; adjective takes -e with a determiner)

What does the preposition "til" do here? Could I use "for"?

With "hensyn," the fixed pattern is "hensyn til ..." to mark the target of the consideration. It translates as "for" in English: "consideration for." "Hensynet til naboene ..." is correct; "Hensynet for naboene ..." sounds wrong. Related fixed expressions: "ta hensyn til" (to take into consideration) and "av hensyn til" (out of consideration for).

Why "naboene" and not "naboer"?

"naboene" is the definite plural: "the neighbors." Norwegian often uses the definite plural for a generic group that’s contextually understood (e.g., your neighbors, or neighbors in general in a given situation). "Hensyn til naboer" (indefinite plural) is grammatical but feels more abstract/general and is less common here.

How can I rephrase this as "It’s important to take neighbors into consideration"?

Det er viktig å ta hensyn til naboene.

Can I start a sentence with "Av hensyn til ..."?

Yes, to express reason/motivation:

Av hensyn til naboene må vi dempe musikken. Here "av hensyn til" means "out of consideration for." Keep "hensyn" indefinite in this set phrase.

What are the forms of "nabo" (neighbor)?

Gender: common (en nabo)
Indefinite singular: en nabo
Definite singular: naboen
Indefinite plural: naboer
Definite plural: naboene

How do you pronounce the sentence?

Approximate Eastern Norwegian:

Hensynet: HEN-syn-eh [ˈhɛnsyːnə] (y like German "ü"/French "u"; final -t usually silent)
til: [tɪl]
naboene: NAH-boo-eh-neh [ˈnɑːbʊənə]
er: [ær]
viktig: VIK-ti(g) [ˈvɪktɪ] (many drop the final g) These are approximations; pronunciation varies by dialect.

How do I make it a yes–no question?

Invert subject and verb:

Er hensynet til naboene viktig? Typical answers: Ja, det er viktig. / Nei, det er ikke viktig.

Where does negation ("ikke") go?

After the finite verb "er":

Hensynet til naboene er ikke viktig. With an adverb:
Hensynet til naboene er også veldig viktig. Fronting an adverbial triggers inversion:
Av og til er hensynet til naboene ikke viktig.

What’s the difference between "hensynet til naboene" and "naboenes hensyn"?

hensynet til naboene = the consideration directed toward the neighbors
naboenes hensyn = the neighbors’ consideration (what they show to others) They are not interchangeable.

Can "hensyn" be plural?

Yes:

Vi må ta flere hensyn. (We have to take several considerations into account.)
Det er mange hensyn å ta. (There are many considerations.) But in "ta hensyn til" and "av hensyn til," "hensyn" typically stays singular.

Is "det viktige hensynet til naboene" also possible?

Yes, as an attributive phrase with double definiteness:

Det viktige hensynet til naboene er ... In your original sentence, "viktig" is predicative after "er," so you don’t use "det" or add -e; you just say "... er viktig."

Can I drop "til" and say "Hensynet naboene"?

No. "hensyn" needs the preposition "til" to link it to its object. Use "hensynet til naboene."

Are there natural synonyms or paraphrases?

Respekt for naboene er viktig.
Omtanke for naboene er viktig.
Det er viktig å vise hensyn til naboene.

Any common mistakes to avoid?

Using "for" instead of "til" after "hensyn": say "hensyn til," not "hensyn for."
Adding a neuter -t to "viktig": don’t write "viktigt" in Bokmål.
Forgetting the definite plural on "naboene" when you mean the specific/generic neighbors in context.

How would this look in Nynorsk?

"Omsynet til naboane er viktig." Differences: "hensyn" → "omsyn"; "naboene" (Bokmål) → "naboane" (Nynorsk).