Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Når barna krangler, prøver jeg å være rolig og finne en løsning. - When the children argue, I try to be calm and find a solution.

When you start the sentence with something that is not the subject (here: the whole clause "Når barna krangler"), the verb must come next, and the subject comes after the verb:

Når barna krangler, prøver jeg å være rolig.
- Fronted element: Når barna krangler
- Verb: prøver
- Subject: jeg

If you started directly with the subject, you would say:

Jeg prøver å være rolig når barna krangler.

So both are correct, but after a fronted element or subordinate clause, you get verb–subject order in the main clause.

What is the difference between "når" and "da" for "when"?

Both can translate to "when", but they’re used in different situations:

når
- Used for present, future, and repeated / general events.
- Example: Når barna krangler, prøver jeg å være rolig.
  – This is a general habit; it can happen many times.
da
- Used for single events in the past.
- Example: Da barna kranglet i går, prøvde jeg å være rolig.
  – Refers to one specific time yesterday.

In this sentence, we talk about what usually happens, so "når" is correct.

Why is it "barna" and not "barnene" for "the children"?

The noun "barn" (child) is irregular:

Singular indefinite: et barn – a child
Singular definite: barnet – the child
Plural indefinite: barn – children
Plural definite: barna – the children

There is no form "barnene" in standard Norwegian.
So "barna" is the correct and only definite plural form meaning "the children".

Does "barna" mean "the children" in general, or "my children"?

Literally, "barna" means "the children".

However, in context, Norwegian often omits possessive pronouns when it’s obvious whose something is. So in a context where you’re talking about your own family, "barna" will naturally be understood as "my children".

If you want to make it explicit, you can say:

Når mine barn krangler, ... – When my children argue, ...

What exactly does "krangler" mean here? Is it physical fighting or just arguing?

The verb "å krangle" mainly means to argue, quarrel, bicker – usually verbal conflict:

Barna krangler. – The children are arguing.

It does not necessarily mean physical fighting. For physical fighting, you’d more likely use "slåss":

Barna slåss. – The children are fighting (physically).

So in your sentence, it’s about arguing, not necessarily hitting.

Why are both verbs "krangler" and "prøver" in the present tense, even though the sentence can describe a general habit?

Norwegian present tense is used for:

things happening right now,
habits / general truths,
and also sometimes near future.

So:

Når barna krangler, prøver jeg å være rolig.
– Describes what you usually do whenever that situation happens.

This is similar to English "When the children argue, I try to be calm." – also present tense for a habitual action.

Why is it "å være rolig" and not something like "å holde meg rolig"?

Both are possible, but they have slightly different flavors:

å være rolig – to be calm
- Simple, neutral description of your state.
å holde meg rolig – to keep myself calm
- Emphasizes that you make an effort to remain calm.

Your sentence:

… prøver jeg å være rolig …
– I try to be calm.

You could say:

Når barna krangler, prøver jeg å holde meg rolig og finne en løsning.

That adds a bit more nuance of self-control, but the original version is perfectly natural and common.

Why is there only one "å" in "å være rolig og finne en løsning" and not "å være rolig og å finne en løsning"?

In Norwegian, when you have two infinitives joined by "og" (and) that share the same "å", it’s very common to:

Use "å" only in front of the first verb:
- å være rolig og finne en løsning
  – to be calm and find a solution

You can repeat "å":

å være rolig og å finne en løsning

This is grammatically correct, but in everyday language it often sounds heavier or more formal. The shorter version with just one "å" is more natural here.

Why is there a comma after "Når barna krangler"?

"Når barna krangler" is a subordinate clause (a dependent clause) introduced by "når".

In Norwegian, you normally put a comma between a subordinate clause and the main clause when the subordinate clause comes first:

Når barna krangler, prøver jeg å være rolig …

If the order is reversed, no comma is needed:

Jeg prøver å være rolig når barna krangler.

What is the word order inside the clause "Når barna krangler"? Why is it "barna krangler" and not "krangler barna"?

In clauses introduced by a subordinating conjunction like "når", the basic word order is:

Conjunction + Subject + Verb + (other elements)

So you get:

Når barna krangler
- Conjunction: Når
- Subject: barna
- Verb: krangler

In main clauses with something fronted, you often have Verb–Subject (V2), but in subordinate clauses like this, it’s normally Subject–Verb.

How does "rolig" work here? Is it an adjective or an adverb, and can it describe both people and situations?

"rolig" is primarily an adjective in Norwegian, and here it describes you (the subject jeg):

å være rolig – to be calm
– You are calm.

"rolig" can be used for:

people:
- Hun er rolig. – She is calm.
situations / environments:
- Et rolig sted. – A quiet / calm place.

Norwegian often uses the same form where English might use an adjective or an adverb. After "være" (to be), "rolig" is clearly an adjective describing a state.

Why is it "en løsning" and not "løsningen"?

en løsning – a solution (indefinite)
løsningen – the solution (definite)

In this sentence, you are not talking about one specific, known solution, but about finding some solution to the problem in general. So the indefinite form "en løsning" is natural:

… finne en løsning. – … find a solution.

If you meant a specific one you already have in mind, you might say:

finne løsningen – find the solution.