Indefinite Article
Learn the three Norwegian indefinite articles: en (masculine), ei (feminine), et (neuter). Bokmål allows a two-gender system where en covers both masculine and feminine.
I can use the correct indefinite article (en, ei, et) with Norwegian nouns.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Jeg er lærer.
I am a teacher.
Det er en stol.
It is a chair.
Jeg leser ei bok.
I am reading a book.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Indefinite Article
Norwegian nouns have three genders, each with its own indefinite article:
| Gender | Article | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | en | en stol, en bil |
| Feminine | ei | ei bok, ei jente |
| Neuter | et | et bord, et hus |
Note: In Bokmål, en may replace ei for feminine nouns: «en bok» is also correct.
Professions after «å være»: No article! → «Jeg er lærer», not «Jeg er en lærer».
English speakers have no gender system to draw on — memorize articles with nouns as a unit. Remember: no article with professions after 'å være'.
Common Error Patterns
Used et/en/ei with incorrect grammatical gender
Added an article before a profession after 'å være'
Jeg er lærer.
I am a teacher.
No article with professions after 'å være'.
Det er en stol.
It is a chair.
Masculine noun takes 'en'.
Jeg leser ei bok.
I am reading a book.
Feminine noun takes 'ei' (or 'en' in two-gender Bokmål).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises