Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Gi beskjed når du kommer hjem.

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?