Jeg liker rollen hans i teaterstykket.

I

Breakdown of Jeg liker rollen hans i teaterstykket.

• i: in
• like: to like
• hans: his

Questions & Answers about Jeg liker rollen hans i teaterstykket.

Why is it «rollen hans» and not «hans rolle»?

Both «rollen hans» and «hans rolle» are possible, but they are used slightly differently.

• «rollen hans» (noun + definite ending + possessive after):

  • This is the most neutral and most common way to say his role.
  • The noun has the definite ending: rolle → rollen (role → the role).
  • Then you add the possessive: hans.
  • Literally: the role his, but it just means “his role”.

• «hans rolle» (possessive before noun):

  • Used more for emphasis or contrast: his role (as opposed to someone else’s).
  • The noun is not in the definite form here: rolle, not rollen.
  • It still means his role, but can feel a bit more marked/focused in many contexts.

In your sentence, «Jeg liker rollen hans i teaterstykket.» the neutral, natural choice is «rollen hans».

Why does «rollen hans» have both a definite ending -en and hans? Isn’t that like saying “the his role”?