Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Jeg kan ikke gå fra barna.

Because gå fra functions like a phrasal verb meaning “to leave, walk away from, or abandon” someone/something. On its own, gå just means “walk/go.” With fra (from), it becomes idiomatic: gå fra barna = “leave the kids (behind).” It’s also used for relationships: gå fra kjæresten = “leave/break up with your partner.”

Where does ikke go when there is a modal like kan?

In main clauses, the finite verb is in second position (V2). The modal kan is the finite verb, so ikke comes after it: Jeg kan ikke …. Affirmative would be Jeg kan gå fra barna. With something fronted, it’s still V2: Nå kan jeg ikke gå fra barna.

Should there be å before gå?

No. After modals (kan, skal, vil, må, bør and their past forms), the infinitive has no å: kan gå, må dra, etc. With non-modals you use å: jeg prøver å gå fra barna.

Does kan ikke mean “not allowed to” or “not able to”?

It can mean either; context decides. For clarity:

Lack of permission: Jeg får ikke gå fra barna / Jeg har ikke lov til å gå fra barna.
Prohibition: Jeg må ikke gå fra barna.
Lack of ability/practicality: Jeg kan ikke gå fra barna fordi de er redde.

What is the form barna? Why the -a ending?

Barn is a neuter noun with an irregular plural:

singular: et barn
plural (indefinite): barn
plural (definite): barna (also barnene in Bokmål, but barna is more common)

So barna = “the children.”

How do I say “my kids”?

Two options:

barna mine (definite noun + postposed possessive) — neutral, common.
mine barn (preposed possessive + indefinite noun) — a bit more contrastive/formal. Examples: Jeg kan ikke gå fra barna mine. / Jeg kan ikke gå fra mine barn.

Could I use forlate instead of gå fra?

Yes, but nuance differs. forlate is more formal and can sound stronger (even like “abandon”): Jeg kan ikke forlate barna. It’s also used for places: forlate rommet. gå fra barna is idiomatic for leaving them behind/alone, not necessarily permanently.

What about dra fra or reise fra?

dra fra: emphasizes setting off/going away (any transport). Jeg kan ikke dra fra barna = I can’t head off and leave the kids behind.
reise fra: emphasizes traveling; similar to dra fra with trip nuance.
gå fra: literal “walk away from” and idiomatic “leave/abandon.” Choose based on context.

Is gå bort fra different from gå fra?

Yes. gå bort fra often means “move away from” physically or “abandon” an idea: gå bort fra planen. With people, gå bort fra barna sounds like “step away from the children” (physically), while gå fra barna is the usual way to say “leave the kids (behind).”

Can I say gå ifra barna?

You’ll hear it, and it’s accepted informally. In standard Bokmål writing, fra is preferred: gå fra. The ifra variant is common in set phrases like si fra/si ifra.

How would I say it in the past?

Simple past ability: Jeg kunne ikke gå fra barna.
Present perfect: Jeg har ikke kunnet gå fra barna.

Can I topicalize the object for emphasis?

Yes: Barna kan jeg ikke gå fra. This focuses on “the kids.” The finite verb (kan) still stays in second position.

Is Jeg kan gå ikke fra barna ever correct?

No. In main clauses, ikke must come after the finite verb (here, kan): Jeg kan ikke …. Jeg kan gå ikke … is ungrammatical.

Pronunciation tips?

Approximate Oslo-area pronunciations:

Jeg: “yai/yei”
kan: “kahn” (short a)
ikke: “IK-keh” (k clearly pronounced)
gå: long, rounded vowel (close to English “go,” but more rounded)
fra: “frah”
barna: “BAAR-na,” with a retroflex n sound because r + n merges in many dialects

Could gå fra barna be misunderstood as breaking up with the kids’ parent?

Context decides. gå fra is also used for ending relationships: gå fra ektefellen/kjæresten. With barna, most will understand “leave the kids (behind/alone)” unless the broader context is a breakup.

Can I replace barna with a pronoun?

Yes: Jeg kan ikke gå fra dem. With names or other nouns: Jeg kan ikke gå fra Anna. Colloquial for “the kids” is ungene: Jeg kan ikke gå fra ungene.