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 ? Why isn’t the verb at the end?