Sengetøyet skiftes hver lørdag.

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Breakdown of Sengetøyet skiftes hver lørdag.

• lørdagen: the Saturday
• sengetøyet: the bed linen
• skiftes: to be changed

Questions & Answers about Sengetøyet skiftes hver lørdag.

Why is it sengetøyet and not just sengetøy?

Sengetøyet is the definite form: “the bed linen”, while sengetøy is indefinite: “bed linen” in general.

In Norwegian, the definite article is usually attached to the end of the noun:

• sengetøy = bed linen (in general)
• sengetøyet = the bed linen (specific)

In this sentence, we’re talking about the specific bed linen in this room/place, so the definite form sengetøyet is used.

What does the -et ending in sengetøyet mean?

The -et ending is the definite singular ending for neuter nouns.

• et sengetøy = (a) set of bed linen (neuter, indefinite)
• sengetøyet = the bed linen (neuter, definite singular)

So -et here functions like “the” in English, but attached to the noun instead of standing in front of it.

What grammatical form is skiftes? Why does it end in -s?

Skiftes is the present tense passive form of the verb å skifte (to change).

Norwegian has a so‑called s‑passive, formed by adding -s to the verb:

• Vi skifter sengetøyet. = We change the bed linen.
• Sengetøyet skiftes. = The bed linen is changed.

So skiftes = “is changed” (passive, present tense).