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Questions & Answers about Gi beskjed når du kommer hjem.
Why is there no article before beskjed? Shouldn't it be en beskjed?
In the idiomatic phrase gi beskjed, beskjed functions like a generic or uncountable noun, so the indefinite article en is dropped. You can say Gi meg en beskjed if you want to emphasize “a message,” but most Norwegians simply use gi beskjed to mean “let someone know.”
How is the Norwegian imperative formed, and why is it Gi and not gir?
Infinitives in Norwegian are marked with å, so å gi is “to give.” To form the imperative you drop å, giving gi. The form gir is the present-tense third-person form, not the command.
Why is når used here instead of da for “when”?
Norwegian distinguishes time words: når is used for general, habitual, or future time clauses, while da is reserved for referring to a specific past event. Since “when you get home” refers to a future moment, you use når.
Why is the present tense kommer used to refer to a future event? Shouldn't Norwegian have a future tense?
Norwegian doesn’t have a separate future-tense form. The present tense is often used for future actions when the time is clear from context or marked by a word like når. You could add skal or vil (e.g. Gi beskjed når du skal komme hjem), but it’s usually unnecessary.
Why is the word order når du kommer hjem (subject–verb–object) and not inverted like in questions, når kommer du hjem?
Because this is a subordinate clause introduced by the conjunction når, and subordinate clauses in Norwegian keep normal SVO word order (subject before verb). Inversion (VSO) only happens in main clauses and direct questions.
What’s the difference between hjem and hjemme, and why is hjem used here?
hjem is an adverb of direction (“toward home”), while hjemme is a stative adverb (“at home”). Since kommer implies motion toward home, you use hjem. If you wanted to say “when you are at home,” you’d use når du er hjemme.
Why is Gi beskjed considered neutral and not rude? How can I make it softer if needed?
The bare imperative in Norwegian is generally less pointed than in English. Gi beskjed is perfectly neutral and common. To soften it you can add vennligst (“please”) or vær så snill å (“would you be so kind as to…”), e.g. Vær så snill å gi beskjed når du kommer hjem.
Why is meg often omitted in Gi beskjed? Shouldn't it be Gi meg beskjed (“let me know”)?
The person receiving the notice (usually the speaker) is understood from context, so Gi beskjed is sufficient. If you want to be explicit or polite you can say Gi meg beskjed, but it isn’t required.
What are some common synonyms for Gi beskjed in everyday Norwegian?
You can use colloquial alternatives like si ifra or gi lyd fra deg, e.g. Si ifra når du kommer hjem. In writing or formal speech you might hear melde fra, informere, or send meg en melding. All convey the same basic idea of “let me know.”