Temporal Clauses
Tidssetninger
Temporal conjunctions: når (when—general/future), da (when—past specific), mens (while), før (before), etter at (after), siden (since). These introduce subordinate clauses with subordinate word order.
Rule
når/da/mens/før/etter at + subordinate clause
Examples
Når jeg kommer hjem, lager jeg mat.
When I come home, I make food.
Da jeg var barn, bodde vi i India.
When I was a child, we lived in India.
Mens han sover, leser hun.
While he sleeps, she reads.
Common Mistake
Når jeg var barn... (past specific)
Da jeg var barn...
'Når' is for habitual/future 'when'. 'Da' is for a specific past event. Indian learners use 'når' for everything since 'jab' in Hindi covers both.
English vs Norwegian
| English | Norsk |
|---|---|
| When I come home, I make food. | Når jeg kommer hjem, lager jeg mat. |
| When I was a child, we lived in India. | Da jeg var barn, bodde vi i India. |
| While he sleeps, she reads. | Mens han sover, leser hun. |
English
When I come home, I make food.
Norsk
Når jeg kommer hjem, lager jeg mat.
English
When I was a child, we lived in India.
Norsk
Da jeg var barn, bodde vi i India.
English
While he sleeps, she reads.
Norsk
Mens han sover, leser hun.