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Questions & Answers about Gi beskjed når du er klar.
What does Gi beskjed mean literally, and how is it used in everyday Norwegian?
Literally, Gi beskjed means “give notice.” In everyday use it’s equivalent to English “let me know” or “inform me.” You tell someone Gi beskjed when you want them to notify you (or others) about something.
Why isn’t there an object after Gi? Don’t you need to say Gi meg beskjed for “give me notice”?
Gi beskjed on its own is idiomatic and implicitly means “gi beskjed til meg” (or whoever is contextually implied). If you want to be explicit, you add a pronoun:
- Gi meg beskjed = let me know
- Gi oss beskjed = let us know
- Gi dem beskjed = let them know
What is the role of når here? Could you use hvis or om instead?
Når means “when”, implying that at some definite point you will be ready.
- Gi beskjed når du er klar = Let me know when you are ready.
If you used hvis or om, it would mean “if” (uncertainty), e.g. Gi beskjed hvis du er klar = “Let me know if you get ready.”
How does word order work in når du er klar? Why isn’t the verb at the end?
In Norwegian subordinate clauses introduced by når, the normal Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order stays intact (contrary to German). So it’s:
- når (conjunction)
- du (subject)
- er (verb)
- klar (adjective)
Why is Gi capitalized without å in front?
This is the imperative form. You form the command by taking the infinitive å gi (“to give”), dropping å, and capitalizing if it starts the sentence. So Gi = “Give…” in a command.
Can you drop du in når du er klar, like English sometimes does?
No. Norwegian requires the subject in subordinate clauses. Omitting du (når er klar) would be ungrammatical. You always keep the subject pronoun.
Could you invert the sentence and say Når du er klar, gi beskjed? Does that change the meaning?
Yes, that’s perfectly fine. Starting with the time clause doesn’t change the meaning:
Når du er klar, gi beskjed = “When you’re ready, let me know.”
Remember to use a comma after the subordinate clause.
Are there alternative expressions to Gi beskjed?
Yes. Informally, you might say Si fra når du er klar (“give a shout when you’re ready”). In more formal or official contexts, you could use Varsle meg når du er klar (“notify me when you’re ready”).