Behovet er stort.

Behovet is the definite singular form of behov, which means need.

• et behov = a need
• behovet = the need

The ending -et is the usual definite ending for many neuter nouns in Norwegian.

Behov is a neuter noun, so its basic form is:

• et behov

This matters because adjectives often have to agree with the noun’s gender. In this sentence, that is why you get stort rather than stor.

Because behov is neuter singular.

The adjective stor changes depending on gender and number:

• stor = common gender singular
• stort = neuter singular
• store = plural or certain definite contexts

Since behovet refers to the need and the noun itself is neuter singular, the predicative adjective becomes stort:

• Behovet er stort.

This is a very common question.

In Behovet er stort, the adjective comes after the verb er, so it is a predicative adjective. Predicative adjectives usually agree with gender and number, but not in the same way as adjectives placed before nouns.

So:

• det store behovet = the big/great need
  
  • here the adjective is attributive (before the noun), so store is used

But:

• Behovet er stort = The need is great/large
  
  • here the adjective is predicative (after er), so the neuter singular form stort is used

No, this is normal Norwegian sentence order for a simple statement:

• Behovet = subject
• er = verb
• stort = predicative adjective

So the structure is:

Subject + verb + adjective

Very similar to English:

The need + is + great

Er means is / are / am, depending on context. It is the present tense of å være (to be).

Examples:

• Jeg er trøtt. = I am tired.
• Hun er norsk. = She is Norwegian.
• Behovet er stort. = The need is great.

Literally, stor/stort often means big or large, but in this sentence great is often the more natural English translation.

So Behovet er stort can mean:

• The need is great
• The need is large
• There is a great need (more natural in some contexts)

Which English version sounds best depends on context.

Yes, very often.

Even though the sentence literally looks like The need is great, English often prefers There is a great need, especially in formal or practical contexts.

For example:

• Behovet er stort for flere lærere.
  • literally: The need is great for more teachers
  • more natural English: There is a great need for more teachers

You would usually say:

• et stort behov = a great need / a big need

Compare:

• et stort behov = adjective before the noun
• Behovet er stort = adjective after the verb

So the sentence you were given is not the same structure as et stort behov, even though the meaning is closely related.

Here are some useful forms:

Noun: behov

• et behov = a need
• behovet = the need
• behov = needs
• behovene = the needs

Adjective: stor

• stor = common gender singular
• stort = neuter singular
• store = plural / many definite noun phrases

Examples:

• en stor utfordring = a big challenge
• et stort behov = a great need
• store problemer = big problems
• det store behovet = the great need

A rough pronunciation guide is:

• Behovet ≈ beh-HO-ve
• er ≈ air or a light ehr
• stort ≈ stoort

A few helpful notes:

• The stress is mainly on the second syllable of behovet: be-HOV-et
• The final -et in behovet is often pronounced lightly
• The r sound in Norwegian varies by dialect, so exact pronunciation depends on accent

If you want, you can think of the rhythm as:

be-HOV-et er stort