Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Brødet vi liker best er ofte utsolgt etter lunsj. - The bread we like best is often sold out after lunch.

Because brød is a neuter noun. Indefinite: et brød; definite: brødet. Common-gender nouns take -en in the definite (e.g., kake → kaken).

Where is the word for “that/which”? Why is there no som in Brødet vi liker best?

In Norwegian, som can be omitted in object relative clauses. Both Brødet som vi liker best and Brødet vi liker best are correct. You must keep som when it’s the subject: Brødet som er best … (not: Brødet er best … as a relative clause).

Why is ofte after er? Could it go somewhere else?

Norwegian main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb (er) is in second position, so short adverbs like ofte come after it: … er ofte …. You can front the adverb for emphasis: Ofte er brødet vi liker best utsolgt etter lunsj. Don’t say … ofte er utsolgt … in the middle; that breaks V2.

Should it be er utsolgt or blir utsolgt?

er utsolgt = the state: “is sold out.”
blir utsolgt = the event: “gets/sells out.”
Here, er ofte utsolgt etter lunsj means that after lunchtime it is often already in the sold-out state. Blir ofte utsolgt etter lunsj focuses on the selling-out happening after lunch.

Why liker best and not best liker?

With verbs like like, degree adverbs such as best normally come after the verb: liker best. Best liker is only used in special fronting for emphasis, e.g., Best liker jeg …, not inside this relative clause.

Is liker mest also possible?

Yes, liker mest is heard, but for preferences liker best is the most idiomatic. Use mest mainly as the superlative of adjectives/adverbs that form with mer/mest (e.g., mer interessant / mest interessant).

Why is it etter lunsj, not etter lunsjen?

Indefinite lunsj expresses a general time period (“after lunch” in general). Use the definite etter lunsjen only when you mean a specific, previously mentioned lunch.

Can I use etterpå instead of etter lunsj?

Use etterpå (“afterwards”) by itself, not with a noun: Det er ofte utsolgt etterpå (if context makes the reference clear). With a noun you need etter + noun: etter lunsj.

Does utsolgt change with gender or number here?

Not in predicative position. You say Brødet er utsolgt (singular) and Brødene er utsolgt (plural). Attributively it does inflect: utsolgte billetter (“sold-out tickets”).

Could I say tom instead of utsolgt?

No. utsolgt means “sold out” (the product is no longer available). tom means “empty” and is used for containers/places: Hylla er tom, but brødet er utsolgt.

Do I need a comma before vi liker best?

No. Norwegian does not use a comma before restrictive som-clauses, and likewise not when som is omitted: Brødet vi liker best … (no comma). A comma would only appear with a non‑restrictive clause, which doesn’t fit here.

How would I place the negation? (“the bread we don’t like”)

Put ikke before the verb in the relative clause: Brødet vi ikke liker or Brødet som vi ikke liker.

Can I move etter lunsj to the front?

Yes: Etter lunsj er brødet vi liker best ofte utsolgt. Fronting triggers inversion, so er stays in second position.

How can I say “our favorite bread” instead?

Favorittbrødet vårt er ofte utsolgt etter lunsj. (possessive after noun; keep the definite suffix)
Vårt favorittbrød er ofte utsolgt etter lunsj. (possessive before noun; no suffix)
Both are correct; the first is more neutral.

Any pronunciation tips for tricky words?

Brødet: ø like French “eu” in “deux”; roughly BRØ-deh.
utsolgt: many drop the g in speech: sounds like OOT-solt.
lunsj: “loonsh” (the sj is an sh-sound).