Beklager, jeg kommer kanskje for sent i kveld.

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Breakdown of Beklager, jeg kommer kanskje for sent i kveld.

• i: in
• komme: to arrive
• beklage: sorry
• kanskje: maybe
• for sent: too late
• kveld: the evening

Questions & Answers about Beklager, jeg kommer kanskje for sent i kveld.

What does Beklager mean in this sentence, and when is it used?

Beklager translates to "I'm sorry" or "Sorry" in English. It’s used as a direct apology and sets the tone for the explanation that follows—in this case, the possibility of arriving too late.

How does the placement of kanskje affect the meaning of the sentence?

Kanskje means "maybe" or "perhaps." Placed right after "kommer" (come), it indicates uncertainty about the action. This placement shows that the speaker is not absolutely sure about arriving on time, much like saying "I might come too late tonight."

What does the phrase for sent mean, and how is it constructed?

For sent directly translates to "too late." It’s formed by combining "for" (an intensifier equivalent to "too") with "sent" (meaning "late"). This structure mirrors English, where an intensifier comes before an adjective to convey excessiveness.

Why is the time expression i kveld positioned at the end of the sentence?

I kveld means "this evening" or "tonight." In Norwegian, time indicators like this are typically placed at the end of the sentence to provide a clear indication of when the action will occur, much like how we place time expressions at the end in English.

Why doesn’t the sentence include a subject in Beklager (e.g., saying "Jeg beklager")?

In Norwegian, it’s common to use brief interjections on their own. Starting with Beklager immediately expresses the apology without redundancy. The sentence then continues with "jeg kommer kanskje for sent i kveld," which clearly indicates who will be arriving and under what circumstances.

Is it possible to rearrange the elements in the sentence (for example, moving kanskje) without changing the meaning?

While Norwegian does offer some flexibility in word order, the standard placement is important for clarity. Kanskje is best positioned immediately after the verb kommer to clearly modify it. Moving it to a different spot might sound unnatural or shift the emphasis, so for beginners, it’s best to stick with the conventional structure shown in the sentence.