Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Jeg trenger oversikt før jeg kan jobbe ordentlig. - I need an overview before I can work properly.

Oversikt means “overview” or “a clear picture/understanding of the situation.” In idiomatic Norwegian it can also mean “control” in the sense of having things organized. Common collocations:

ha oversikt (over noe) = to have an overview (of something)
få oversikt = to get an overview, get one’s bearings
gi en oversikt = to give an overview

Note: It does not mean “oversight” in the sense of “supervision” (that would be tilsyn) or “a mistake you missed” (that would be forglemmelse/overseelse).

Why is there no article before oversikt? Why not en oversikt?

Norwegian often uses bare nouns for abstract or “mass-like” meanings. Jeg trenger oversikt means “I need (some) overview/clarity” in general, not one specific document or list. If you say Jeg trenger en oversikt, it suggests a concrete overview (e.g., a summary sheet or list) that you can hold or look at.

What’s the difference between oversikt, en oversikt, and oversikten?

oversikt = overview in general (non-count, abstract)
en oversikt = a particular overview (one overview)
oversikten = the specific, known overview (the overview)

Inflection (Bokmål, masculine):

Singular: en oversikt, oversikten
Plural: oversikter, oversiktene

Could I say Jeg må få oversikt instead?

Yes, very natural. Jeg må få oversikt = “I have to get an overview.” It emphasizes the process of obtaining it. Your original Jeg trenger oversikt emphasizes the need itself. Both work; many natives would use få oversikt in this context.

Why før and not først?

før = “before” (a conjunction introducing a clause or a preposition with time)
først = “first” (an adverb meaning “first/firstly”)

You need før because you’re linking two clauses: før jeg kan jobbe ordentlig = “before I can work properly.”
Compare: Jeg må først få oversikt. = “I must first get an overview.”

What’s the word order after før? Why is it jeg kan jobbe and not kan jeg jobbe?

In Norwegian, main clauses are typically verb-second (V2), but subordinate clauses (like the one introduced by før) have subject–verb order. So:

Main clause: Jeg trenger oversikt
Subordinate clause: før jeg kan jobbe ordentlig (subject jeg before the finite verb kan)

If you front the subordinate clause: Før jeg kan jobbe ordentlig, trenger jeg oversikt.

Do I need a comma before før here?

No comma is needed when the subordinate clause comes after the main clause in modern usage: Jeg trenger oversikt før jeg kan jobbe ordentlig.
If the subordinate clause comes first, you add a comma after it: Før jeg kan jobbe ordentlig, trenger jeg oversikt.

Why is it kan jobbe and not kan å jobbe?

Norwegian modal verbs take a bare infinitive (without å):

kan jobbe, må jobbe, vil jobbe, skal jobbe, bør jobbe Saying kan å jobbe is incorrect.

What’s the difference between jobbe and arbeide?

Both mean “to work.” Jobbe is more common and informal; arbeide is slightly more formal/literary. In everyday speech, jobbe is the default. Your sentence is perfectly idiomatic with jobbe; with arbeide it sounds a bit more formal: før jeg kan arbeide ordentlig.

What does ordentlig mean here? Could I use skikkelig?

Ordentlig means “properly,” “in an orderly/correct way.” Skikkelig often overlaps and is very common in speech: Jeg trenger oversikt før jeg kan jobbe skikkelig.
Nuance:

ordentlig = proper/correct/according to standards
skikkelig = can mean “properly,” but also works as “really/very” (intensifier) in other contexts

Could I say Jeg trenger oversikt for å jobbe ordentlig?

Yes. That version emphasizes purpose: “I need an overview in order to work properly.”
Your original with før emphasizes time/sequence: “I need an overview before I can work properly.” Both are fine; choose based on whether you want a purpose or a temporal relation.

Is til interchangeable with før (like “until” vs “before”)?

No. før = “before.” til usually means “until” and sets an end point.

Jeg venter til jeg får oversikt. = “I’ll wait until I get an overview.”
Jeg trenger oversikt før jeg kan jobbe. = “I need an overview before I can work.”
They’re not interchangeable here.

How would I say I don’t need an overview?

Use trenger ikke, not må ikke:

Jeg trenger ikke oversikt. = “I don’t need an overview.” Be careful: må ikke means “must not / are not allowed to,” not “don’t have to.”

Are there useful fixed expressions with oversikt I should know?

Yes:

få oversikt (over noe) = get an overview (of something)
ha oversikt (over noe) = have an overview
gi en oversikt (over noe) = give an overview Examples:
Jeg må få oversikt over oppgavene.
Har du oversikt over kostnadene?

Any quick pronunciation tips for key words?

Approximate Eastern Norwegian:

jeg ≈ “yai”
trenger ≈ “TRENG-er” (soft g)
oversikt ≈ “OO-ver-shikt” (the rs often blends to a “sh” sound)
før ≈ like English “fur” but with rounded lips
jobbe ≈ “YOB-beh”
ordentlig ≈ “OR-den-tli” (the d+n can merge; the t+l can be tight)

These are rough guides; pronunciation varies by region.