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A2📦Nouns & Articles
Double Determination
Dobbelt bestemmelse
When an adjective describes a definite noun, Norwegian uses BOTH a determiner (den/det/de) AND the definite suffix on the noun: 'den store bilen' (the big car). This 'double definiteness' is unique to Scandinavian languages.
Rule
den/det/de + adjective(-e) + noun(definite)
Examples
den røde bilen
the red car
det store huset
the big house
de nye bøkene
the new books
Common Mistake
✗
den rød bil / rød bilen
✓
den røde bilen
Learners either forget the determiner or the definite suffix. Both are required: den (determiner) + røde (adj with -e) + bilen (definite noun).
English vs Norwegian
| English | Norsk |
|---|---|
| the red car | den røde bilen |
| the big house | det store huset |
| the new books | de nye bøkene |
English
the red car
Norsk
den røde bilen
English
the big house
Norsk
det store huset
English
the new books
Norsk
de nye bøkene