A1 Norwegian GrammarBasic Adjectives
Learn common Norwegian adjectives and how they agree with nouns in gender and number. Understand adjective placement (before nouns or as predicates) and master the basic endings: base form, neuter (-t), plural (-e), and definite (-e).
1Adjective Forms and Agreement
Norwegian adjectives change form to match the noun they describe. The base form is used with masculine and feminine nouns. Add '-t' for neuter nouns. Add '-e' for plural and definite forms. This agreement is essential for correct Norwegian.
Basic Adjective Agreement
| Form | Ending | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| masculine/feminine | base | en stor bil | a big car |
| neuter | -t | et stort hus | a big house |
| plural | -e | store biler | big cars |
| definite | -e | den store bilen | the big car |
Examples
Han har en fin jakke.
He has a nice jacket.
fin (base form)
Det er et fint sted.
It is a nice place.
fint (neuter -t)
Vi ser fine blomster.
We see nice flowers.
fine (plural -e)
Den fine jakken er dyr.
The nice jacket is expensive.
fine (definite -e)
2Common Descriptive Adjectives
Here are essential adjectives for describing size, quality, and characteristics. Many adjectives come in opposite pairs. Note that some adjectives have irregular neuter or plural forms that must be memorized.
Common Adjective Pairs
| Norwegian | English | Neuter Form | Plural Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| stor / liten | big / small | stort / lite | store / små |
| god / dårlig | good / bad | godt / dårlig | gode / dårlige |
| ny / gammel | new / old | nytt / gammelt | nye / gamle |
| lang / kort | long / short | langt / kort | lange / korte |
Examples
Boken er god.
The book is good.
predicate adjective
Det er et lite barn.
It is a small child.
lite (irregular neuter)
Hun har lange ben.
She has long legs.
lange (plural)
Vi bor i en gammel by.
We live in an old city.
gammel (base form)
3Adjectives Describing Feelings and States
These adjectives describe emotions and temporary states. When used as predicates (after 'er'), they must still agree with the subject. Use the -e form for plural subjects. Some adjectives ending in '-ig' keep the same form in neuter.
Feeling and State Adjectives
| Norwegian | English | Neuter | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| glad | happy | glad | Hun er glad. |
| trist | sad | trist | Barnet er trist. |
| sulten | hungry | sultent | Jeg er sulten. |
| trøtt | tired | trøtt | Han er trøtt. |
Examples
Barna er glade.
The children are happy.
glade (plural predicate)
Jeg er veldig sulten.
I am very hungry.
veldig = very
Er du trøtt?
Are you tired?
predicate, no change
Vi er litt nervøse.
We are a bit nervous.
nervøse (plural)
4Colors and Physical Descriptions
Colors follow regular adjective agreement patterns. Most colors add '-t' for neuter and '-e' for plural/definite. Some colors ending in a vowel (like 'blå') add only '-tt' for neuter. Use these to describe people, objects, and surroundings.
Common Colors
| Norwegian | English | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| rød | red | rødt | røde |
| blå | blue | blått | blå |
| hvit | white | hvitt | hvite |
| svart | black | svart | svarte |
Examples
Hun har rødt hår.
She has red hair.
rødt (neuter)
Himmelen er blå.
The sky is blue.
blå (predicate)
De hvite skoene er fine.
The white shoes are nice.
hvite (definite plural)
Katten er svart og hvit.
The cat is black and white.
two adjectives