StudyNorwegian•Grammar / Your Norwegian journey
A1Sentences and questions

The dummy subject det

Use det when there is no specific subject.

Bokmål · nb-NO
GRAMMATIKK · BOKMÅL

The dummy subject det

Use det when talking about weather: Det regner. With an adjective: Det er kaldt.

The rule, step by step

  1. Norwegian usually requires an expressed subject. Weather statements use det.
  2. Use er with a weather adjective: Det er kaldt. A weather verb gives Det regner.
  3. After an initial time phrase, retain det after the verb: I dag er det kaldt.

Sentence pattern

Det + regner / er kaldt

Compare forms and usage
BokmålMeaning or use
Det regner.It is raining.
Det er varmt.It is warm.
I dag snør det.It is snowing today.

Everyday examples

Example 1

Det regner i dag.

It is raining today.

Example 2

I dag er det kaldt.

Today it is cold.

Example 3

I kveld blåser det mye.

It is very windy this evening.

A common error or a difference in meaning

Form to review

Er kaldt i dag.

Correct form for the intended meaning

Det er kaldt i dag.

Er kaldt lacks the dummy subject. Use Det er kaldt.

Put the rule into practice

0/3

Personal review progress on this device. It does not complete a reading lesson or award XP.

VELG

Choose the form that fits the rule and meaning explained in this lesson.

FYLL INN

Complete the gap using the appropriate form of the given word.

Given word: det

I dag er _____ varmt.

SETT I REKKEFØLGE

Rebuild the example, starting with “Det”: It is raining today.

…

Continue with the same subject

Verb-second word order A1Yes/no questions A1Subordinate clauses with at B1Indirect questions B1

Explore your Norwegian learning path

All textsA1A2B1B2C1GrammarSpeaking practice