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The Word 'som' (who / which / that)
One little word links extra information to a noun. It covers who, which, and that.
If you remember nothing else
- •'som' = who / which / that, for people AND things.
- •Unlike English, you usually cannot drop 'som'.
- •It opens a subordinate clause, so 'ikke' goes before the verb inside it.
One word for who / which / that
Where English picks between who, which, and that, Norwegian just uses 'som'. It connects a describing clause to the noun before it.
Mannen som bor her, er lege.
The man who lives here is a doctor.
Boka som ligger der, er min.
The book that's lying there is mine.
Don't drop it
English often drops the relative word ('the book I read'). Norwegian normally keeps 'som' when it's the subject of the clause.
Jeg kjenner en jente som snakker fem språk.
I know a girl who speaks five languages.
Det er noe som ikke stemmer.
There's something that isn't right.
Quick check
2 questions. Get them right to lock in the lesson.