A2 Norwegian GrammarTemporal Prepositions
Master Norwegian prepositions for expressing time: 'i' (in/for), 'på' (on/in), 'om' (in - future), 'siden' (since), and 'til' (until). Learn which preposition to use with different time expressions and avoid common mistakes made by English speakers.
1Basic Time Prepositions: i, på, om
Norwegian uses different prepositions for time than English. 'I' is used for months, years, and periods. 'På' is used for days of the week and specific times of day. 'Om' indicates future time ('in X hours/days'). These distinctions are crucial for natural Norwegian.
Time Preposition Usage
| Preposition | Used With | Example |
|---|---|---|
| i | months, years, seasons | i januar, i 2024 |
| i | duration (for) | i tre timer |
| på | days of week | på mandag |
| på | morning/evening/night | på morgenen |
| om | future time (in...) | om en time |
| om | seasons (variant) | om sommeren |
Examples
Vi reiser i juli.
We travel in July.
i + month
Hun kommer på fredag.
She's coming on Friday.
på + day of week
Bussen kommer om ti minutter.
The bus is coming in ten minutes.
om + future duration
Jeg var syk i to uker.
I was sick for two weeks.
i = for (duration)
2Since, For, Until: siden, i, til
'Siden' means 'since' and refers to a point in time when something started. 'I' expresses duration ('for'). 'Til' means 'until' and indicates the end point. 'Fra...til' creates a time span. These prepositions often combine with perfect tense.
Duration and Range Prepositions
| Norwegian | English | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| siden | since | siden + point in time |
| i | for | i + duration |
| til | until | til + end point |
| fra...til | from...to | fra X til Y |
| innen | by/within | innen + deadline |
Examples
Jeg har bodd her siden 2020.
I have lived here since 2020.
siden + year (point in time)
Vi venter til klokka fem.
We're waiting until five o'clock.
til = until
Butikken er åpen fra ni til seks.
The store is open from nine to six.
fra...til = from...to
Du må levere det innen fredag.
You must deliver it by Friday.
innen = by/within (deadline)
3Time of Day Expressions
Norwegian has specific patterns for times of day. 'Om morgenen/kvelden/natten' describes general times. 'På dagtid/nattestid' means during day/night. 'I morges/i går kveld' are fixed expressions for this morning/yesterday evening.
Time of Day Prepositions
| Time | General | Specific Day |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | om morgenen | i morges (today) |
| Afternoon | om ettermiddagen | i ettermiddag (today) |
| Evening | om kvelden | i kveld (today) |
| Night | om natten | i natt (last night) |
Examples
Jeg trener om morgenen.
I exercise in the morning (generally).
om morgenen = general habit
Hva gjorde du i morges?
What did you do this morning?
i morges = this morning
Vi ses i kveld!
See you tonight!
i kveld = tonight/this evening
Han jobber om natten.
He works at night (generally).
om natten = night shift/habit
4Common Mistakes and Special Cases
English speakers often confuse 'i' and 'for' when expressing duration, or misuse 'om' and 'i' for future time. Also note that 'om' + day of week means 'by' in some contexts. Fixed expressions must be memorized as they don't follow regular patterns.
Common Time Expression Errors
| Wrong | Correct | English |
|---|---|---|
| for to timer | i to timer | for two hours |
| i ti minutter (future) | om ti minutter | in ten minutes |
| i mandag (future) | på mandag | on Monday |
| siden tre timer | i tre timer | for three hours |
Examples
Jeg lærer norsk i seks måneder.
I've been learning Norwegian for six months.
i = for (NOT 'for')
Møtet starter om en halvtime.
The meeting starts in half an hour.
om = in (future)
Han kom for en time siden.
He came an hour ago.
for...siden = ago
Jeg kommer i tide.
I'm coming on time.
i tide = on time (fixed)