Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Han ser bekymret ut.

In Norwegian, the pattern se + adjective + ut is the standard way to say “look + adjective” (visual appearance). The little word ut (literally “out”) is required in this construction. Without it, Han ser bekymret would be ungrammatical/nonsensical. Correct: Han ser bekymret ut.

Why does ut come after the adjective? Could I say Han ser ut bekymret?

No. The fixed order is: se + adjective + ut.

Correct: Han ser bekymret ut.
Also correct: Det ser bra ut.
Incorrect: Han ser ut bekymret.

What’s the difference between ser … ut, ser ut som, and ser ut til å?

ser + adjective + ut = “looks + adjective” (visual impression): Han ser bekymret ut.
ser ut som + noun/clause = “looks like + …”: Han ser ut som en lærer. / Det ser ut som om han er bekymret.
ser ut til å + infinitive = “appears/seems to + verb”: Han ser ut til å være bekymret. / Det ser ut til å bli regn.

Can I just say Han er bekymret instead?

Yes, but it’s a different nuance.

Han ser bekymret ut. = He appears worried (based on what you see).
Han er bekymret. = He is worried (a state/fact, not limited to how he looks). Use the one that matches what you want to say.

How do I negate it: “He doesn’t look worried”?

Place ikke after the finite verb:

Han ser ikke bekymret ut. You can also say: Han ser ikke ut til å være bekymret.

Where do degree words (very, quite, a little) go?

They go before the adjective:

Han ser veldig/ganske/litt/svært/skikkelig bekymret ut.

Does bekymret change for gender or number in this sentence?

No. In predicative position (after er/ser … ut) Bokmål adjectives are usually invariable: han/hun/de ser bekymret ut. But attributively (before a noun) they inflect:

en bekymret mann, en bekymret kvinne, et bekymret barn, bekymrede foreldre

Is bekymra also correct?

Yes. bekymra is an accepted Bokmål variant (more informal/colloquial) and the regular Nynorsk form. So Han ser bekymra ut is fine. Be consistent with your register.

How do I ask “Does he look worried?” in Norwegian?

Invert subject and verb:

Ser han bekymret ut? You can also ask for someone’s opinion: Synes du han ser bekymret ut?

How do I put it in the past?

Use the past of se:

Han så bekymret ut. With the “seems to” pattern: Han så ut til å være bekymret.

Can I specify what he is worried about in the same sentence?

Usually you switch to er bekymret for/over to add the topic:

Han ser bekymret ut. Han er bekymret for jobben sin. Attaching it directly after the appearance phrase occurs (e.g., Han ser bekymret ut for jobben sin), but many prefer the clearer er bekymret for/over … when specifying the cause.

Are there good synonyms for bekymret?

engstelig = anxious
uroet = perturbed/troubled
urolig = uneasy/restless (not always the same as “worried”) Examples: Han ser engstelig ut. / Hun virker urolig.

Could I use other verbs instead of ser … ut?

Yes:

Han virker bekymret. (he seems/appears; general impression)
Han fremstår som bekymret. (he comes across as) These are not limited to visual appearance the way ser … ut is.

Any quick pronunciation tips for the words here?

ser: long “e” (roughly “sehr”), with a tapped/flipped r.
bekymret: the k before y is the soft “kj”-sound (like the German “ich” sound); y is a rounded front vowel; the final t is lightly pronounced.
ut: long, rounded vowel (like a long “oo” but fronted), with a clear final t.

Can I put an adverb after ut, like Han ser bekymret ut veldig?

No. Put adverbs of degree before the adjective:

Han ser veldig bekymret ut. (not after ut)

Why Han and not Ham?

Han is the subject form (“he”). Ham is the object form (“him”) and would not be used as the subject of the sentence. So Han ser bekymret ut is correct.