Jeg venter en halv time.

I wait for half an hour.

Breakdown of Jeg venter en halv time.

• jeg: I
• en: a
• vente: to wait
• timen: the hour

Questions & Answers about Jeg venter en halv time.

Does time mean time or hour here?

Here time means hour. That often surprises English speakers because it looks like the English word time.

• en time = an hour
• to timer = two hours

If you mean time in the general sense, Norwegian usually uses tid.

Why is the verb just venter? Where is the equivalent of am in I am waiting?

Norwegian normally uses the simple present tense for both I wait and I am waiting.

So:

• Jeg venter can mean I wait
• Jeg venter can also mean I am waiting

Unlike English, Norwegian usually does not need a separate progressive form with a verb like to be.

Why is there no word for English for before en halv time?