Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Det er for langt til sentrum, så vi tar bussen. - It is too far to the city center, so we take the bus.

In Det er for langt til sentrum, det is a dummy subject. Norwegian often uses det er ... in the same way English uses it is ... in sentences like:

It is cold
It is far
It is late

So here, det does not refer to a specific thing. It just fills the subject position.

Why is it langt and not lang?

Because the adjective is used in the form that fits det er ... expressions.

In Norwegian, adjectives often change form depending on gender and grammar pattern. With det er, you very often get the -t form:

Det er fint = It is nice
Det er kaldt = It is cold
Det er langt = It is far

So langt is the correct form here.

What does for mean here?

Here, for means too, not for in the English sense.

So:

for langt = too far
for dyrt = too expensive
for vanskelig = too difficult

This is a very common use of for in Norwegian.

Why is it til sentrum?