Adjectives as Nouns
Adjektiv som substantiv
Norwegian can use adjectives as nouns to refer to groups of people or abstract concepts. 'De rike' means 'the rich (people)', and 'noe nytt' means 'something new'. The adjective takes the -e ending when referring to plural/definite groups.
Rule
de + adjective-e = 'the [adjective] ones/people' | noe/noen + adjective-t = 'something/someone [adjective]'
Examples
de rike
the rich (people)
de unge
the young (people)
de gamle
the elderly
noe nytt
something new
noe viktig
something important
De fattige trenger hjelp.
The poor need help.
Har du hørt noe interessant?
Have you heard something interesting?
Common Mistake
de rik
de rike
When using adjectives as nouns with 'de', the adjective must take the -e ending, just like in other plural/definite contexts.
English vs Norwegian
| English | Norsk |
|---|---|
| the rich (people) | de rike |
| the young (people) | de unge |
| the elderly | de gamle |
| something new | noe nytt |
| something important | noe viktig |
| The poor need help. | De fattige trenger hjelp. |
| Have you heard something interesting? | Har du hørt noe interessant? |
English
the rich (people)
Norsk
de rike
English
the young (people)
Norsk
de unge
English
the elderly
Norsk
de gamle
English
something new
Norsk
noe nytt
English
something important
Norsk
noe viktig
English
The poor need help.
Norsk
De fattige trenger hjelp.
English
Have you heard something interesting?
Norsk
Har du hørt noe interessant?