Questions & Answers about Bremsen på sykkelen virker ikke.
Why is it bremsen and not brems?
Because bremsen is the definite singular form: the brake.
- en brems = a brake
- bremsen = the brake
In this sentence, you are talking about a specific brake, not just any brake.
Why is it sykkelen and not sykkel?
For the same reason: sykkelen is the definite singular form, meaning the bicycle / the bike.
- en sykkel = a bicycle
- sykkelen = the bicycle / the bike
So på sykkelen means on the bike.
What does på mean here?
Here på means on.
So bremsen på sykkelen literally means the brake on the bike.
Norwegian often uses på for something attached to or belonging to an object in a physical sense:
- døra på bilen = the door on the car
- taket på huset = the roof on the house
So this is a very normal way to say it.