4.3 Definite Singular
The definite singular form of the noun (the + noun, in English) is used when referring to something previously mentioned or known in the context. Norwegian forms the definite form by adding an ending to the noun:
Hun har en hund og en katt. Hunden er gammel. (She has a dog and a cat. The dog is old.)
Sola står på himmelen. (The sun is in the sky.)
Gender |
Indefinite Singular |
Definite Singular |
Masculine |
en gutt (a boy) | gutten (the boy) |
Feminine |
ei jente (a girl) | jenta (the girl) |
Neuter |
et hus (a house) | huset (the house) |
Note: Feminine gender. The use of the feminine gender is optional in Norwegian. It is correct to use the indefinite article “en” and the definite article “-en” with all feminine nouns.
It is also acceptable to use the indefinite article “en”, while using the feminine definite ending “-a”.
For example: ei bok → boka or en bok → boken or en bok → boka