Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Han viser tålmodighet selv når oppmøtet er lavt. - He shows patience even when the attendance is low.

Here selv means “even,” as in selv når = “even when.” It does not mean “self.” For “himself,” you’d say han selv or seg selv, depending on context.

Can I use selv om instead of selv når? What’s the difference?

Both are possible but with different nuances:

selv når = “even when,” used for times/occasions (often habitual or generally true). Example: Han viser tålmodighet selv når oppmøtet er lavt.
selv om = “even though/although,” a concessive link that can be about a single fact or a hypothetical. Example: Han viser tålmodighet selv om oppmøtet er lavt.

Why is it oppmøtet (definite) and not just oppmøte?

Oppmøte is neuter and oppmøtet is the definite singular (“the attendance”). Norwegian often uses the definite when referring to a specific situation. You can also use an impersonal construction: Det er lavt oppmøte (“There is low attendance”).

Why is the adjective lavt and not lav?

Agreement. Oppmøte is a neuter noun, so the predicative adjective takes the neuter form: lavt. Compare:

Huset er stort (neuter)
Boka er stor (common gender)
Tallene er lave (plural)

What gender is oppmøte, and what are its basic forms?

It’s neuter: et oppmøte (indefinite), oppmøtet (definite). It’s usually uncountable; a plural is rarely used in practice.

Could I say dårlig oppmøte instead of lavt oppmøte?

Yes. Lavt oppmøte focuses on the level (“low attendance”). Dårlig oppmøte is more evaluative (“poor attendance”). Both are common.

Why is there no article before tålmodighet? Could I say en tålmodighet?

Tålmodighet is an abstract, uncountable noun, so you normally use no article: viser tålmodighet. You can modify it: viser stor tålmodighet; and for emphasis you might see viser en bemerkelsesverdig tålmodighet (a specific, remarkable patience).

What’s the difference between viser tålmodighet and er tålmodig?

Er tålmodig states a general trait (“is patient”). Viser tålmodighet highlights behavior in a situation (“shows patience”). Both are correct; the original stresses his conduct when attendance is low.

Can I replace viser with utviser or demonstrerer?

Utviser tålmodighet is idiomatic and a bit more formal.
Demonstrerer tålmodighet is understandable but less natural.
Viser tålmodighet is neutral and very common.

Why is the order når oppmøtet er lavt and not når er oppmøtet lavt?

In subordinate clauses with når, Norwegian uses subject–verb order: [oppmøtet] [er] [lavt]. Når er oppmøtet lavt? is a direct question, not a subordinate clause.

Should there be a comma before selv når?

No comma is needed when the subordinate clause follows the main clause: Han viser tålmodighet selv når … If you front the clause, add a comma after it: Selv når oppmøtet er lavt, viser han tålmodighet.

Any pronunciation tips for tålmodighet and oppmøte?

å (tål-) is like the vowel in English “born,” but shorter.
ø (møte) is like British “bird” but with rounded lips. Syllables: tål-mo-di-het, opp-mø-te.

Is han ever ham?

Han is the subject form (he). Ham is the traditional object form (him): Jeg så ham. In informal Bokmål, many use han as an object too (Jeg så han). Here Han is the subject, so han is correct.

Can I move selv to get når selv oppmøtet er lavt?

Yes. Når selv oppmøtet er lavt puts “even” directly on the noun phrase (“even the attendance is low”), while selv når oppmøtet er lavt makes the whole time circumstance concessive (“even when the attendance is low”). Both are grammatical; the emphasis differs.

Are there synonyms for oppmøte?

Yes: frammøte/fremmøte are near-synonyms in Bokmål. Oppmøte is very common and slightly more neutral.

Could I use lite instead of lavt, as in oppmøtet er lite?

Prefer det er lite oppmøte (“there is little attendance”) or oppmøtet er lavt (“the attendance is low”). Oppmøtet er lite is not idiomatic.