Vi må feie opp støvet i stuen.

we

Breakdown of Vi må feie opp støvet i stuen.

• i: in
• måtte: must
• stuen: the living room

Questions & Answers about Vi må feie opp støvet i stuen.

What does må mean here, and is it closer to must or have to?

Må is a modal verb meaning must / have to.
In everyday Norwegian, må usually feels more like English have to (an obligation or necessity), but in some contexts it can be as strong as must.
Examples:

• Vi må gå nå. – We have to/must go now.
• Du må gjøre leksene dine. – You have to/must do your homework.

Why is it feie opp and not just feie?

Feie means to sweep, and opp is a little particle that adds the idea of up / away / completely.
Feie opp is like English sweep up, focusing on collecting and removing the dust, not just the motion of sweeping.
You could say feie gulvet (sweep the floor) without opp, but feie opp støvet emphasises gathering the dust so it’s gone.

Is feie opp a fixed expression? Are there other verbs like this?