Questions & Answers about Jeg dekker bordet til middag.
What does dekker mean here, and is it the same verb as “to cover”?
Yes, it is the same verb.
- The basic meaning of å dekke is to cover.
- In the context of a table, å dekke (bordet) is an idiomatic expression that means to set the table (to put plates, cutlery, glasses, etc. on it).
So:
- Snøen dekker bakken = The snow covers the ground.
- Jeg dekker bordet til middag = I set the table for dinner.
Same verb, different common usage.
Why is it bordet and not et bord or just bord?
Norwegian usually marks “the” by adding a suffix to the noun.
- et bord = a table (indefinite, neuter)
- bordet = the table (definite, neuter)
In this sentence, you’re talking about a specific, known table (for example, the dining table at home), so you use the definite form bordet.
Using et bord here would sound like “I set a table for dinner”, which is unusual unless you’re in a place with many tables and you’re only setting one of them.
What gender is bord, and how does that affect its forms?