Han jobber selvstendig i kveld.

He works independently this evening.

Breakdown of Han jobber selvstendig i kveld.

• han: he
• jobbe: to work
• i: in
• kvelden: the evening
• selvstendig: independently

Questions & Answers about Han jobber selvstendig i kveld.

What does the word in bold mean here — independently, alone, or self‑employed: selvstendig?

In this sentence, the most natural reading is “independently” (how he is working tonight). Without context, Han jobber selvstendig can also mean “he is self‑employed,” but adding i kveld pushes the meaning toward “independently tonight,” not “self‑employed tonight.”

• To say “alone,” use alene or for seg selv: Han jobber alene i kveld.
• To say “self‑employed,” use the set phrase selvstendig næringsdrivende: Han er selvstendig næringsdrivende.

Can I use alene instead of selvstendig?

Yes, but it changes the nuance:

• Han jobber alene i kveld. = He’s working by himself (no one else present).
• Han jobber selvstendig i kveld. = He’s working independently (without supervision or help), possibly still around others.
• For the status “self‑employed,” say Han er selvstendig næringsdrivende.

Is the word order correct? Where should i kveld go?

Yes, it’s correct. A common placement is time at the end. You can also front the time:

• I kveld jobber han selvstendig. (Time first → verb second) Avoid awkward orders like:
• ✗ Han i kveld jobber selvstendig.
• ? Han jobber i kveld selvstendig. (possible but sounds odd) Remember the main‑clause V2 rule: the finite verb (jobber) must be in second position if something other than the subject is fronted.

Why is the present tense (jobber) used for “tonight”? Should it be skal jobbe?

Norwegian often uses the present for near future when a time word is present:

• Han jobber … i kveld. = He’s working tonight (scheduled/arranged).
• Han skal jobbe i kveld. = He’s going to work tonight (plan/intention/obligation). Both are fine; skal adds a sense of plan or commitment.

Is er jobber or er å jobbe a correct way to say “is working”?

No. Norwegian doesn’t form a progressive with “to be” like English.

• Say simply: Han jobber … To emphasize ongoing action right now, use periphrastic options:
• Han holder på å jobbe.
• Han sitter og jobber.
• Han er i gang med å jobbe.

Where does the negation ikke go in this sentence?

After the finite verb:

• Han jobber ikke selvstendig i kveld. If you front the time:
• I kveld jobber han ikke selvstendig.

Does selvstendig need a -t to be an adverb (like selvstendigt)?

No. In Bokmål, adjectives ending in -ig/-lig usually use the same form as adverbs. So selvstendig works both as adjective and adverb. Selvstendigt is not standard Bokmål.

• Adjective: en selvstendig person
• Adverb: jobbe selvstendig

Pronunciation tips for the whole sentence?

Approximate, East‑Norwegian style:

• Han: “hahn” (short a).
• jobber: j like English y; short “o” (like in “off”); double bb is a longer b: “YOB-ber.”
• selvstendig: say “selv-STEN-di.” The -ig ending is often pronounced like “-i.”
• i: “ee.”
• kveld: “kvel(l).” The kv cluster is pronounced together; the final ld often sounds like a dark “l.” Stress typically falls on the first syllable of each content word: HAn JObber selvSTENdig i KVELD.

Can I say arbeider instead of jobber?

Yes:

• Han arbeider selvstendig i kveld. Arbeider is a bit more formal/neutral; jobber is everyday speech. Meaning is the same here.

Why is there no article in i kveld? Why not i kvelden?

Time‑of‑day with i + bare noun usually means “this [time period]”:

• i kveld = this evening/tonight Using the definite (i kvelden) is generally unidiomatic in standard Bokmål for this meaning.

How do I say “in the evenings” (habitually) instead of “tonight”?

Use:

• om kvelden (common)
• om kveldene (also used)
• på kvelden (colloquial/regionally common) Example: Han jobber selvstendig om kvelden.

Can I start with I kveld? What happens to the verb?

Yes:

• I kveld jobber han selvstendig. In main clauses, the finite verb (jobber) stays in second position (V2), right after the fronted time phrase.

Is the sentence ambiguous between “independently” and “self‑employed”?

Slightly, but with i kveld most listeners will understand “independently (this evening).” To state self‑employment clearly, say:

• Han er selvstendig næringsdrivende. To emphasize independence tonight, you can also say:
• Han jobber på egen hånd i kveld.

Any good synonyms for selvstendig in this context?

• på egen hånd (on his own initiative)
• for seg selv (by himself/alone; focuses on solitude)
• uten veiledning/oppfølging (without guidance/follow‑up; more formal)
• Han jobber selv. (he does the work himself; may also imply “not delegating”)

How do I change the time to “last night,” “tomorrow evening,” or “tonight (late at night)”?

• Last night (evening): i går kveld → Han jobber selvstendig i går kveld. (If you need past tense: Han jobbet selvstendig i går kveld.)
• Tomorrow evening: i morgen kveld → Han jobber selvstendig i morgen kveld.
• Late at night/at night: i natt → Han jobber selvstendig i natt. (nighttime, not evening)