Learn Hardcore Norwegian: I gipsveggen må vi bore små hull før hyllen henges opp. - In the drywall we have to drill small holes before the shelf is hung up.

I gipsveggen må vi bore små hull før hyllen henges opp.

In the drywall we have to drill small holes before the shelf is hung up.

Breakdown of I gipsveggen må vi bore små hull før hyllen henges opp.

Questions & Answers about I gipsveggen må vi bore små hull før hyllen henges opp.

Why does it say I gipsveggen and not På gipsveggen?

I is used because you’re drilling into the drywall—inside the material. På would suggest something happening on the surface (e.g., a mark or a picture hanging on the wall). For drilling holes, Norwegian typically uses i: bore hull i veggen.

What does gipsveggen mean grammatically—why is it one word with -en?

gipsvegg means drywall / plasterboard wall (literally gypsum wall). Adding -en makes it definite singular: the drywall wall. Norwegian often attaches the definite article to the end of the noun:

en vegg = a wall
veggen = the wall
en gipsvegg = a drywall wall
gipsveggen = the drywall wall

Is gipsvegg a compound noun, and how do compounds work here?

Yes. gipsvegg is a compound (gips + vegg). In Norwegian, compounds are usually written as one word, and the last part decides the gender and endings. Since vegg is masculine (en vegg), you get gipsveggen in definite form.