Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Jeg forstår ikke hvorfor toget er sent. - I don’t understand why the train is late.

In Norwegian main clauses the negation ikke normally follows the finite verb. The basic word order is Subject (S) – Finite Verb (V) – Negation (ikke) – Object/Complement. So
• Jeg (S)
• forstår (V)
• ikke (negator)
• hvorfor toget er sent (object clause)

Putting ikke elsewhere (e.g. at the very end) is possible for emphasis but sounds marked.

Why is the subordinate clause hvorfor toget er sent in subject-verb order instead of the verb-subject order used in questions?

Because this is an indirect question (a subordinate clause), not a direct question. In subordinate clauses Norwegian uses normal SVO order. Only direct questions use V2 word order.
• Indirect: … ikke hvorfor toget er sent (SVO)
• Direct: Hvorfor er toget sent? (V2)

What does sent mean here? Is it the same as the English late?

Yes. Sent is an adjective meaning “late” in the sense of “delayed.” So toget er sent literally means “the train is late.”

Can I use seint instead of sent?

Absolutely. Seint is a dialectal/colloquial variant of sent, meaning “late.” In written Bokmål sent is more common, but both are correct and widely understood.

Why is toget used instead of tog? How do you form the definite noun in Norwegian?

Norwegian marks definiteness with a suffix rather than a separate article. Tog (train) is a neuter noun; to make it definite you add -et, yielding toget (“the train”).

What’s the difference between forstår and skjønner, since both can mean “understand”?

Both verbs mean “understand,” but:
• Forstår is neutral or slightly more formal.
• Skjønner is more colloquial and common in everyday speech.

Example in casual conversation: Jeg skjønner ikke hvorfor toget er sent.

How would I turn this statement into a direct question in Norwegian?

Use the V2 rule for questions: place the verb second. The direct question is
Hvorfor er toget sent?
Here Hvorfor (question word) + er (finite verb) + toget (subject).