Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Kunden spør om leveringstiden fordi hun mangler utstyr. - The customer asks about the delivery time because she lacks equipment.

The definite form is used because the customer is asking about a specific delivery time (for this order/context). If you were talking in general, you could say spør om leveringstid.

How is the compound leveringstiden built?

It’s levering (delivery) + tid (time) with a linking -s (a “fuge-s”): leveringstid. Then add the definite ending: leveringstiden. Not all compounds take -s; it’s partly lexical, so you learn them case by case.

What’s the difference between spør om and spør etter?

spør om X = ask about X (seek information): spør om leveringstiden.
spør etter X = ask for X (request/try to obtain): spør etter sjefen (ask for the boss), spør etter prisen (ask for the price). With delivery time, spør om leveringstiden is the safest; spør etter can occur when you’re “asking to get” the info.

Does om mean “about” or “if/whether”?

Both. With a noun phrase it’s “about” (spør om leveringstiden). With a clause it’s “if/whether”: spør om hun kommer (“asks whether she is coming”).

What’s the correct word order after fordi?

In a subordinate clause it’s Subject–Verb: fordi hun mangler utstyr. Don’t invert: fordi mangler hun utstyr is wrong.

Can I start the sentence with the fordi-clause?

Yes: Fordi hun mangler utstyr, spør kunden om leveringstiden. After an initial subordinate clause, the main clause still has verb-second: spør kunden.

Do I need a comma before fordi?

Not in this sentence. Write: Kunden spør om leveringstiden fordi hun mangler utstyr. A comma is used only if the fordi-clause is clearly parenthetical; otherwise, skip it.

Could I use siden or for instead of fordi?

siden can mean “because/since”: … siden hun mangler utstyr (a bit more casual).
for also means “because” but is a coordinating conjunction and feels more written/old-fashioned: … , for hun mangler utstyr.
derfor means “therefore,” not “because,” and changes structure: Hun mangler utstyr, derfor spør kunden …

Why mangler and not savner?

å mangle = to lack/be missing (objective shortage): hun mangler utstyr.
å savne = to miss (emotionally): hun savner familien. Use mangler for equipment shortages. Forms of mangle: present mangler, past manglet, past participle manglet.

Is utstyr countable? Can I make it plural?

utstyr is usually an uncountable mass noun: “equipment.” Use:

Indefinite: utstyr
Definite: utstyret No regular plural in everyday use. Quantify with mye utstyr (a lot of equipment) or noe utstyr (some equipment).

Should it be noe or noen with utstyr?

Use noe utstyr (“some equipment”). noen is for countable plurals (e.g., noen bøker).

Why hun and not henne? And can I use a gender‑neutral pronoun?

hun is the subject form (“she”); henne is the object form (“her”). A gender‑neutral singular pronoun hen exists and is increasingly used: … fordi hen mangler utstyr (style- and context-dependent).

Is lurer på leveringstiden okay, or must it be spør om leveringstiden?

Use spør om leveringstiden when asking someone. lurer på means “wonder” and normally takes an indirect question: lurer på hva leveringstiden er (“wonders what the delivery time is”). lurer på leveringstiden is colloquial and less standard.

What are the forms of spørre? Why not spørrer?

The verb is irregular:

Infinitive: å spørre
Present: spør (not “spørrer”)
Past: spurte
Past participle: spurt

Can I say mangel på utstyr instead of mangler utstyr?

Yes, as a noun phrase: Det er mangel på utstyr (“There is a lack of equipment”). In your sentence, the verbal form hun mangler utstyr is more direct and natural.