Hjertetets

Hjertetets is the definite possessive form of the noun hjerte (the heart) in Norwegian. It is used to indicate that something belongs to or pertains to the heart within a noun phrase. The form is created by taking the definite form hjertet (the heart) and adding the possessive suffix -s, yielding hjertets. This construction is characteristic of Norwegian syntax, where possession is often expressed by a suffix on the definite noun rather than by separate possessive determiners.

Usage and examples: Hjertets slag refers to the heart’s beat, while hjertets funksjon denotes the function of the heart. In scientific writing, you will frequently encounter phrases such as hjertets struktur (the heart’s structure) or hjertets blodforsyning (the heart’s blood supply). The phrase can appear in medical, biological, and literary contexts, including poetic descriptions of metaphorical heart-centered qualities.

Variation and related forms: The possessive construction using -s attaches to the definite form hjertet, and is common in Bokmål Norwegian. In broader Scandinavian contexts, cognate forms exist in related languages, such as Swedish hjärtats and Danish hjertets, which reflect a shared Germanic heritage of possessive suffixes.

Notes: The possessive -s in Norwegian behaves differently from the clitic possessives found in some other languages and can be used across a wide range of noun phrases, including anatomical terms, objects, and abstract concepts linked to the heart.

See also: Norwegian grammar, Genitive case in Norwegian, Hjerte.