Questions & Answers about Småbarnsforelderen trenger en pause i kveld.
What does småbarnsforelderen literally mean, and how is it built?
Småbarnsforelderen is a compound noun plus a definite ending:
- små = small
- barn = child / children
- småbarn = toddlers / small children
- småbarns- = “of toddlers/small children” – the -s is a linking/possessive s
- forelder = parent
- forelderen = the parent (definite singular: en ending for an en-word)
Put together: småbarnsforelderen = “the parent of (a) toddler(s)” / “the toddler parent”.
So the structure is: småbarn + s + forelder + en.
Why is it småbarnsforelderen (definite) and not just småbarnsforelder?
Norwegian often marks a specific person with the definite form:
- småbarnsforelder = a parent of toddlers (indefinite, general)
- småbarnsforelderen = the parent of toddlers (a specific one you have in mind)
In English, you might say “The parent of a toddler needs a break tonight” or just “The toddler parent needs a break tonight.” The -en corresponds to English the here.
Is småbarnsforelder common, and can I say småbarnsforeldre?