Article

The Definite Article (the)

When should you use the definite article 'the' and when should you leave it out?

Sketch of three people working on a computer and reading books. — Image: Siren Halvorsen / CC BY-SA 4.0

The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific. 'The' signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group.

Unlike English, Norwegian does not have a definite article. Instead, suffixes (endings of words) are used to indicate that you are talking about something specific.

Definite article in English = the
The house was on fire

Definite suffix in Norwegian = -et / -en / -a
Huset brant
Bilen kolliderte
Jenta sprang

When speaking about things in general ...

The use of the definite article in English can in some cases be a bit tricky for Norwegian students. In English, we usually leave out the definite article when we talk about something abstract or things in general. For example:

We believe in democracy (= democracy in general)
Life is short (= life in general)

Each of these examples takes definite suffix in Norwegian:

Vi tror på demokratiet.
Livet er kort.

However, in English you do need the definite article if you refer to a particular example of what these nouns stand for.

The democracy in Norway is worth fighting for.
The life he lived was short - but good.

Below, you will find five different categories of nouns where the practice differs between Norwegian and English. The sentence pairs present the nouns used with a general meaning (without the definite article) and with a specific meaning (with the definite article).

Compare the sentence pairs and look for differences between Norwegian and English.

1) Things in general

'The' is not used in front of a plural noun with a general meaning. But if you give the word a specific meaning, you use the definite article.

General meaning	Specific meaning
Carrots are good for you.	The carrots are in the fridge.
This is something that parents have to learn.	The parents of these children are all from Sweden.
Teachers should listen to their students.	The teachers at my school all work really hard.
Prices have gone down the last year.	The prices he gave me were too high.

2) Uncountable, abstract nouns

'The' is not used in front of uncountable, abstract nouns. However, if you use these words with a specific reference, you need the article.

What is an uncountable noun?

Uncountable nouns = nouns that do not have a plural form, for example words like 'love', 'life', 'time', 'society', 'water', 'music', etc. You cannot count the stuff uncountable nouns refer to – you can’t say 'one love', 'two loves', 'three loves'.

General meaning	Specific meaning
History is the record of man's folly.	The history of Norway is quite interesting.
A mother's love for her child is stronger than anything.	The love I feel for my children is very strong.
Society is more complex than ever.	The society he grew up in was very different from what we have today.
I love listening to music.	The music you listen to is terrible.

3) Public buildings and institutions

'The' is not used in front of nouns describing the activity going on in public buildings and institutions. However, if you refer to the building itself, you need the definite article.

General meaning	Specific meaning
My sister starts university in August.	The university she has chosen is in Scotland.
She has now been in hospital for over a month.	The hospital was a large, ugly building
You really have to hurry, or you'll be late for school.	The school I go to is one of the best schools in Britain.
They go to church regularly.	The church was built in 1855.

4) Meals

You would not use 'the' in front of general descriptions of meals; only if you speak about a specific meal.

General meaning	Specific meaning
I'm starving. Is dinner ready?	The dinner for the prime minister was a great success.
Don't skip breakfast – it's the most important meal of the day.	The breakfast I was served at the hotel was terrible.
Could you please make sure that you are ready before lunch?	The lunch was spoiled by some noisy tourists on the table next to us.
We shall be late for supper.	The supper she served was all homemade.

5) Holidays, weekdays and seasons

Unless you are describing a specific day, season, or holiday, you would not use 'the' in front of the noun.

General meaning	Specific meaning
Christmas is my favourite holiday. It's such a happy time.	The Christmas I remember the best was the year dad gave me a dog.
Spring is here.	The spring this year has been wonderful.
Friday came and nothing happened.	I will see her the last Friday of this month.