Breakdown of Hvis ikke vi kjøper mat nå, går vi glipp av tilbudet.
maten
the food
vi
we
kjøpe
to buy
nå
now
hvis
if
ikke
not
tilbudet
the offer
gå glipp av
to miss
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Questions & Answers about Hvis ikke vi kjøper mat nå, går vi glipp av tilbudet.
Can I say Hvis vi ikke kjøper mat nå instead of Hvis ikke vi kjøper mat nå?
Yes. Hvis vi ikke kjøper mat nå is the most neutral and common order in Bokmål. Hvis ikke vi kjøper mat nå is also widely used; it can sound a bit more colloquial or slightly emphasize the negation (or even the subject “we”). If you want to avoid any hint of “not we (but someone else),” prefer Hvis vi ikke ….
Why is it går vi glipp … and not vi går glipp … after the comma?
Norwegian has the V2 rule in main clauses: the finite verb must be in second position. When a subordinate clause comes first, it occupies position 1, so the verb comes next: Hvis … , går vi …. If you put the main clause first, you’d say Vi går glipp av tilbudet hvis … (no inversion there).
What exactly does the expression gå glipp av mean, and how do I use it?
It’s a fixed expression meaning “to miss (out on).” Structure: gå glipp av + something.
- Examples: Vi gikk glipp av konserten. / Vi går glipp av det.
- It typically takes a noun or pronoun after av. You’ll also see it with adverbs: Vi gikk nesten glipp av bussen.
Can I split gå glipp av with other words?
Partly. You can insert adverbs between går and glipp: Vi går nesten/lett glipp av det. But keep av with its object: say gå glipp av det, not ✗gå glipp det or ✗gå av det glipp.
Could I just use miste instead of gå glipp av?
Be careful. Miste is “to lose” something you already have. Gå glipp av is “to miss (out on)” something you could have had. Here, gå glipp av tilbudet is the right choice.
Why is the present tense used to talk about the future (both kjøper and går)?
Norwegian often uses the present for near-certain or scheduled future: Hvis … , går vi … can mean “we’ll ….” You can also use:
- kommer til å for prediction: … , kommer vi til å gå glipp av …
- skal for intention/plan: … , skal vi kjøpe … (less natural here for the consequence).
Can I add så after the comma: Hvis … , så går vi …?
Yes. … , så … is common in speech and informal writing. It’s optional and slightly more conversational.
What’s the difference between hvis, om, and med mindre here?
- hvis = if (standard for conditions): Hvis vi ikke …
- om can also mean “if” in many varieties: Om vi ikke … (more informal/regional but fine).
- med mindre = unless: Med mindre vi kjøper mat nå, går vi glipp av tilbudet. (logically equivalent to “If we don’t …”)
Where should ikke go in a subordinate clause?
In subordinate clauses, ikke comes before the finite verb: Hvis vi ikke kjøper … (not ✗Hvis vi kjøper ikke …). The variant Hvis ikke vi kjøper … is also used (see above on nuance).
Is the comma before the main clause required?
Yes. In Norwegian, put a comma between a fronted subordinate clause and the following main clause: Hvis … , går vi ….
Can I move nå elsewhere?
Best is after the object: kjøper mat nå. You can also put it at the very end. Placing nå earlier inside the clause (Hvis vi ikke nå kjøper mat) is possible but marked/emphatic. Outside the subordinate clause is also fine for different focus: Nå må vi kjøpe mat, ellers …
Why is it tilbudet and not et tilbud or just tilbud?
Tilbud is a neuter noun:
- indefinite singular: et tilbud
- definite singular: tilbudet
- indefinite plural: tilbud
- definite plural: tilbudene Here, tilbudet refers to a specific, known deal/offer.
Does tilbud mean “sale” (a promotion) or just any “offer”?
Both, depending on context. In shopping contexts, tilbud commonly means a sale/special deal. In general contexts it can mean any offer.
Why no article before mat?
Mat is usually a mass noun when you mean “food” in general, so no article: kjøper mat. With the definite form (maten) you’d refer to specific food that’s known in the context.
Is there any risk that ikke vi means “not us (but someone else)”?
Yes, ikke vi can carry contrastive focus (“not us”). In everyday speech Hvis ikke vi kjøper … is almost always understood simply as “if we don’t buy …,” but if you want to avoid that possible contrast, use Hvis vi ikke kjøper ….
Can Hvis ikke stand alone like “If not,” in English?
Yes. For example: Kjøp mat nå. Hvis ikke, går vi glipp av tilbudet.
Any quick pronunciation tips for tricky bits?
- kjøper: the kj- is a soft h-like sound (similar to German “ich”); ø like French “eu” in “peur.”
- går: å like English “aw” in “saw.”
- tilbudet: pronounce the final -et; the d in bud is voiced.