Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Jeg skriver langsomt når jeg er trøtt.

In Norwegian, manner adverbs typically come after the main verb (and after any object). So Jeg skriver langsomt is the natural order. Placing it before the verb in a neutral statement (e.g., Jeg langsomt skriver) is unidiomatic.

Can I put the time clause first, and what happens to word order?

Yes: Når jeg er trøtt, skriver jeg langsomt. When a subordinate clause comes first, the main clause must obey the V2 rule: the finite verb (skriver) comes before the subject (jeg). Do not say Når jeg er trøtt, jeg skriver langsomt.

Do I need a comma before når in the original sentence?

No. When the subordinate clause follows the main clause, you normally omit the comma: Jeg skriver langsomt når jeg er trøtt. If the subordinate clause comes first, put a comma after it: Når jeg er trøtt, skriver jeg langsomt.

Should it be når or da here?

Use når for present/future time and for repeated/habitual events (including in the past). Use da only for a single, specific event in the past.

Habitual: Jeg skriver langsomt når jeg er trøtt.
One specific past time: Da jeg var trøtt i går, skrev jeg langsomt.

Is når the same as “if”?

No. når = when/whenever. hvis/om = if/whether.

Conditional: Jeg skriver langsomt hvis jeg er trøtt.
Temporal/habitual: Jeg skriver langsomt når jeg er trøtt.

What’s the difference between langsomt and sakte?

Both mean “slowly,” and both are correct:

sakte is very common in everyday speech and writing.
langsomt is slightly more formal/literary but also common. For the adjective, langsom is the default (en langsom sang). sakte as an adjective occurs mainly in set phrases like sakte film. You can say Jeg skriver sakte/langsomt.

How do I say “more slowly” or “slowest”?

With langsom(t): langsommere (more slowly), langsomst (slowest).
- Jeg skriver langsommere når jeg er trøtt.
With sakte: saktere, saktest.
- Han skriver saktest i klassen.

Why is it trøtt and not trøtte here?

Predicative adjectives agree with the subject. With a singular subject, use the base form: Jeg/Hun/Det er trøtt (though “det” with this meaning is unusual). Plural subjects take -e: Vi/De er trøtte, Barna er trøtte. For neuter singular nouns: Barnet er trøtt. Adjectives already ending in -t (like trøtt, lett) don’t add another -t in neuter.

What’s the nuance between trøtt, sliten, and søvnig?

trøtt: tired (often implies low energy, can overlap with sleepy).
sliten: worn out/exhausted from effort; not necessarily sleepy.
søvnig: sleepy/drowsy; ready to fall asleep. Examples: Jeg er trøtt etter jobb. Etter maratonet er jeg sliten. Jeg blir søvnig etter middag.

Can I say blir trøtt instead of er trøtt?

Yes, but it changes the meaning:

når jeg blir trøtt = when I get/become tired (the moment of becoming).
når jeg er trøtt = when I am in that state. Examples: Jeg tar en pause når jeg blir trøtt. Jeg skriver langsomt når jeg er trøtt.

Where does ikke go if I want to negate the sentence?

Negate the main clause: Jeg skriver ikke langsomt når jeg er trøtt.
If the subordinate clause comes first: Når jeg er trøtt, skriver jeg ikke langsomt.
Negate the subordinate clause: Jeg skriver langsomt når jeg ikke er trøtt.

Why is present tense used? In English I might use “I write” vs. “I’m writing.”

Norwegian present (skriver) covers both simple and progressive meanings; context decides. Jeg skriver langsomt når jeg er trøtt describes a general habit. For something happening right now: Nå skriver jeg langsomt.

What are the main forms of å skrive?

Infinitive: å skrive
Present: skriver
Preterite: skrev
Past participle: skrevet Examples: Jeg skriver. I går skrev jeg. Jeg har skrevet mye.

How do you pronounce the tricky parts?

jeg is often like “yai/yeh” depending on dialect.
ø in trøtt is like French “peu” or German “schön.”
trøtt has a short vowel and a crisp double‑t.
langsomt: the ng is like “sing,” and the g isn’t a separate sound; everyday speech often drops the final t (you may hear langsom), but it’s written langsomt.

Can I move langsomt elsewhere?

Manner adverbs normally sit after the verb (and object): Jeg skriver det brevet langsomt. You can add intensifiers before it: Jeg skriver veldig langsomt. Fronting it is possible but stylistic/poetic: Langsomt skriver jeg … (marked emphasis).