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Ingrediensene står på kjøkkenbenken, og jeg teller ingrediensene før jeg begynner.

Ingrediensene står på kjøkkenbenken, og jeg teller ingrediensene før jeg begynner.
The ingredients are on the kitchen counter, and I count the ingredients before I start.

Breakdown of Ingrediensene står på kjøkkenbenken, og jeg teller ingrediensene før jeg begynner.

jeg
I
og
and
på
on
før
before
begynne
to start
stå
to stand
kjøkkenbenken
the kitchen counter
ingrediensen
the ingredient
telle
to count
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Questions & Answers about Ingrediensene står på kjøkkenbenken, og jeg teller ingrediensene før jeg begynner.

Why does Norwegian use står here instead of er (like English “are”)?

Norwegian often uses position verbs to describe where things are:

  • stå = “stand” (often for things that are placed on a surface, in an expected/organized position, or upright)
  • ligge = “lie” (often for things lying flat or spread out)
  • sitte = “sit” (often for things attached/contained, or people/animals)

So Ingrediensene står på kjøkkenbenken is very natural for items placed on a countertop. You can say Ingrediensene er på kjøkkenbenken, but it can sound less specific/less idiomatic.

What’s going on with Ingrediensene—why does it end in -ene?

Ingrediensene is definite plural: “the ingredients.”

  • singular indefinite: en ingrediens = “an ingredient”
  • singular definite: ingrediensen = “the ingredient”
  • plural indefinite: ingredienser = “ingredients”
  • plural definite: ingrediensene = “the ingredients”

The ending -ene is a common definite plural ending (especially for masculine/feminine nouns).

Why is kjøkkenbenken one word, and why does it end in -en?

Norwegian commonly makes compound nouns as one word:

  • kjøkken (kitchen) + benk (bench/counter) → kjøkkenbenk (kitchen counter)

kjøkkenbenken is definite singular: “the kitchen counter.”

  • en kjøkkenbenk = “a kitchen counter”
  • kjøkkenbenken = “the kitchen counter”

The -en ending marks definite form for many masculine nouns (and many feminine nouns can also take -en in common usage).

Why is it på the counter and not i the counter?

på means “on (top of).” A countertop is a surface, so Norwegian uses på:

  • på kjøkkenbenken = “on the kitchen counter”

i means “in/inside,” used for containers or enclosed spaces (e.g., i en skål = “in a bowl”).

Is the comma before og required?

It’s optional, depending on what you want to show.

  • With two independent clauses (each could stand alone), a comma before og is common and helps readability:
    Ingrediensene står på kjøkkenbenken, og jeg teller ingrediensene …
  • Many writers also omit it in simpler sentences:
    Ingrediensene står på kjøkkenbenken og jeg teller ingrediensene …

Both are seen; the comma is often a style/clarity choice.

Why does Norwegian repeat ingrediensene instead of using a pronoun like “them”?

Norwegian can use a pronoun, but repeating the noun is also very normal, especially for clarity. Alternatives include:

  • … og jeg teller dem før jeg begynner. (dem = “them”)
  • … og jeg teller ingrediensene før jeg begynner. (repetition for clarity)

Both are correct; repetition is not as “heavy” in Norwegian as it can feel in English.

What’s the word order in før jeg begynner—why isn’t it like English “before I begin”?

It actually is the same basic order: før + subject + verb:

  • før jeg begynner = “before I begin”

In this sentence, the subordinate clause keeps normal subject–verb order. (Norwegian changes word order more noticeably when a subordinate clause comes first; see next question.)

If I start with the “before” clause, does the word order change?

Yes. Norwegian is a V2 language in main clauses: the finite verb is in position 2.
If the subordinate clause comes first, the main clause inverts:

  • Før jeg begynner, teller jeg ingrediensene.
    (literally: “Before I begin, count I the ingredients.”)

But when the main clause comes first (as in your sentence), you get:

  • Jeg teller ingrediensene før jeg begynner.
Is teller present tense? Does it also mean “I’m counting”?

Yes. teller is present tense of å telle (“to count”). Norwegian present tense often covers:

  • habitual: “I count”
  • current action: “I’m counting” (context decides)

If you want to emphasize “right now,” you can add something like nå:

  • … og jeg teller ingrediensene nå før jeg begynner.
Why does Norwegian use før jeg begynner without an extra verb like “to cook / to start cooking”?

Norwegian often leaves the activity implied when it’s clear from context. før jeg begynner can mean “before I begin (the process/activity).”

If you want to specify, you can add an infinitive phrase:

  • … før jeg begynner å lage mat. = “before I start cooking”
  • … før jeg begynner med oppskriften. = “before I start with the recipe”
Could I use starter instead of begynner?

Often, yes:

  • å begynne and å starte both mean “to begin/start.”

Typical nuance:

  • begynne is very general and common.
  • starte can feel slightly more “start/initiate,” and is also used for starting machines, projects, events, etc.

Your sentence works with either:

  • … før jeg begynner.
  • … før jeg starter.
How do you pronounce tricky words like ingrediensene and kjøkkenbenken?

A rough guide (dialects vary):

  • ingrediensene: stress usually on the last syllable of the stem: in-gre-di-EN-se-ne
  • kjøkkenbenken: KJØK-ken-ben-ken

Key sounds:

  • kj (in kjøkken) is a soft “sh” sound in many dialects, but some speakers pronounce it closer to “ç” (a palatal sound).
  • ø is like the vowel in French peu / German ö (not like English “o”).