Learn All the Norwegian Prepositions of Time
The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
Prepositions in Norwegian can make many people want to pull their hair out, but practice makes perfect! In this blog, you will get an overview of all Norwegian time prepositions, explanations, and examples. Time prepositions listed here are suitable for both A1 and C1 levels, and the overview of the prepositions is in alphabetical order. Be aware that this list contains many time prepositions! Not all prepositions are used every day. And if you are at A2 level: there are some prepositions you haven’t learned yet.
You, our dear reader, decide how you want to read this blog post. Read it from start to finish (if you love prepositions as much as I do), or use it as a dictionary and read about the specific preposition you are curious about. While reading, it can be very useful to note the form of the nouns. Is it definite or indefinite? Get ready, because now it’s time for some real cozy literature!
Innholdsfortegnelse
Bortimot • Etter • For • For – siden
Foran • Fra • Fra – til • Frempå/frampå
Igjennom • Imot • Innen • Innimellom
Innom • Inntil • Innunder • Med
Bortimot
1. Bortimot means betyr “almost at” (nesten ved) or “just before” (rett før).
Bortimot solnedgang begynte vi å pakke sammen og gjøre oss klare til å dra.
Towards sunset, we began to pack up and get ready to leave.
Mange bedrifter arrangerer julebord i tiden bortimot jul.
Many companies organize Christmas parties towards Christmas time.
Etter
1. Etter means “after” (senere enn).
Jeg kommer på besøk etter middag.
I’ll visit after dinner.
Etter kl. 19 pleier jeg å slappe av.
After 7 PM, I usually relax.
2. Etter is used for something that happens or occurs in sequence. Here we often repeat the same noun to express that something happens for several hours, days, years, etc.
Sist torsdag snødde det intenst time etter time.
Last Thursday, it snowed intensely hour after hour.
De ventet på svar fra banken dag etter dag.
They waited for a response from the bank day after day.
For
1. For is used to express how long something will last.
Kan du lage kostplan for en uke på under 500 kroner?
Can you make a meal plan for a week for under 500 kroner? (Norwegian currency)
Jeg pakket klær for en helg.
I packed enough clothes for a weekend.
2. For is used for something that happens gradually or in sequence. We often repeat the same noun to emphasize development or continuity.
Jeg skriver mine tanker og opplevelser dag for dag for å se hvordan jeg utvikler meg.
I write my thoughts and experiences day by day to see how I develop.
Hun fulgte med på ribba minutt for minutt så svoren ikke blir brent.
She watched the pork belly minute by minute so the skin wouldn’t burn.
For – siden
1. For – siden is used to express that something happened in the past.
For to år siden kjøpte vi oss vår første leilighet!
Two years ago, we bought our first apartment!
For ti år siden ville jeg bli rockestjerne så jeg kjøpte en gitar.
Ten years ago, I wanted to be a rock star, so I bought a guitar.
Foran
1. Foran can be used like før, but is not as common.
Det er alltid mye å gjøre i tiden foran jul.
There is always a lot to do in the time before Christmas.
Det er nesten like foran snøen smelter og dagene blir lysere.
It is almost just before the snow melts and the days get brighter.
Fra
1. Fra is used to express a starting point, i.e., when something begins.
Fra neste uke blir dagene lengre og lengre.
From next week, the days will get longer and longer.
Butikken vil være åpen fra klokken åtte i morgen.
The store will be open from eight o’clock tomorrow.
Fra – til
1.Fra – til is used to express a starting point and an endpoint.
Dagene fra mandag til fredag kalles virkedager.
The days from Monday to Friday are called weekdays.
Vanlig åpningstid er fra kl. 08 til kl. 16.
Regular opening hours are from 8 AM to 4 PM.
2. Fra – til is used with repetition of the same word to express development or repetition over time.
Sparekontoen vokser fra år til år.
The savings account grows from year to year.
Strømprisene i Norge kan variere fra dag til dag.
Electricity prices in Norway can vary from day to day.
Frempå/frampå
1. Frempå/frampå is used to express that something did not start at the beginning, but a little later. Here, utpå and utover are more commonly used.
Frempå filmen begynte jeg å bli trøtt.
Towards the middle of the movie, I started to get tired.
Det er lurt å begynne å planlegge sommerferien frempå våren, om ikke før.
It is wise to start planning the summer vacation towards spring, if not earlier.
Før
1. Før is used to express that something happened earlier than something else.
Jeg har en oppgave jeg må levere før helga.
I have an assignment I need to submit before the weekend.
Les nøye stillingsannonsen før du begynner å skrive søknad.
Read the job advertisement carefully before you start writing the application.
Gjennom
1. Gjennom is used to express that something happens continuously from start to finish over a period.
De to dynastiene kom til å kjempe om makten gjennom hele århundret.
The two dynasties came to fight for power throughout the century.
Det var bikkjekaldt gjennom hele vinteren i fjor!
It was freezing cold throughout the entire winter last year!
I
Here comes this big preposition i. I will do my best to make it as clear as possible for you, and we will take it “regel for regel” or rule by rule (Here we have a fantastic example of using for to express sequence, funny!).
1. I is used with a time expression to specify when in the day something happened or will happen.
I morges hørte jeg på en podkast om norsk økonomi på vei til jobb.
This morning, I listened to a podcast about the Norwegian economy on my way to work.
I kveld skal jeg se på et debattprogram på TV.
Tonight, I will watch a debate program on TV.
2. I is also used in i dag, i morgen, i går, i år, i fjor.
I morgen skal vi lage pizza til middag.
Tomorrow we will make pizza for dinner.
Han flyttet til Bodø i fjor for å studere.
He moved to Bodø last year to study.
3. I together with a time noun in definite form expresses that something happens regularly, every time in a specific period. NB: Exceptions exist (see definition 5).
Hun trener fire ganger i uka (hver uke).
She trains four times a week (every week).
Vi reiser på ferie én gang i året (hvert år).
We go on vacation once a year (every year).
4. I is used with months.
I januar pleier det å være mye salg i butikkene.
In January, there are usually many sales in stores.
Vi tenker å besøke besteforeldrene i juni.
We plan to visit the grandparents in June.
5. I is used with seasons to express that something happens in one specific season, not recurring every season.
I vinter sto vi mye på ski (i motsetning til forrige vinter, da sto vi lite på ski).
This winter, we skied a lot (unlike last winter, when we skied little).
De har planlagt å dra på festival i sommer (men ikke nødvendigvis neste sommer).
They have planned to go to a festival this summer (but not necessarily next summer).
6. I is also used with other events that last several days.
I påska skal de dra på hytta og stå på ski.
During Easter, they will go to the cabin and ski.
Vi skal bade og stå på vannski i ferien.
We will swim and water ski during the vacation.
7. I is used to express how long we do, did, have done, or will do something. Can be used in all verb forms.
Jeg har lest til eksamen i 3 timer nå, men jeg har fortsatt mye igjen.
I have been studying for the exam for 3 hours now, but I still have a lot left.
Norskkursene på Alfaskolen varer i 2t og 15 minutter.
The Norwegian courses at Alfaskolen last for 2 hours and 15 minutes.
8. I is used together with -century and -age.
Denne bloggen er skrevet i det 21. århundret.
This blog is written in the 21st century.
Var de like interessert i preposisjoner i bronsealderen, mon tro?
Were they as interested in prepositions in the Bronze Age, I wonder?
Dattera mi snakket allerede i ettårsalderen.
My daughter was already talking at one year old.
Tjof, then we can move on to the next preposition! Well done, I am proud of you!
Iblant
1. Iblant means “sometimes” (noen ganger) or “occasionally” (av og til).
Min samboer lager som regel mat, men jeg hjelper til iblant.
My partner usually cooks, but I help out sometimes.
En gang iblant liker jeg å se på reality-tv.
Once in a while, I like to watch reality TV.
Igjennom
1. See gjennom. It is exactly the same. Simple and straightforward!
Imot
1. Imot is perhaps not used to express time per se, but means “compared to” (sammenlignet med) and can thus be used to compare one time with another.
Det var heldigvis mindre travelt på jobb i dag imot det det var i går.
Fortunately, it was less busy at work today compared to yesterday.
Det har vært varmere i dag imot gårsdagen.
It has been warmer today compared to yesterday.
Innen
1. Innen is used to express that something happens before or no later than a specific time.
Du må levere oppgaven innen mandag.
You must submit the assignment by Monday.
Vi kontakter deg innen kort tid!
We will contact you shortly!
Innimellom
1. Innimellom means “sometimes, occasionally.”(noen ganger, av og til). See iblant.
Det er da lov med litt sjokolade innimellom!
It’s okay to have some chocolate now and then!
Innimellom synes jeg det er greit å være litt lat og ta det helt med ro.
Now and then I think it’s okay to be a bit lazy and take it easy.
Innom
1. Innom is not really a time preposition, but it is somewhat related to time. It is used to describe going somewhere and staying there for a short while.
Hun kom innom for å låne en mobillader.
She stopped by to borrow a phone charger.
Kan du stikke innom butikken på vei hjem og kjøpe ost?
Can you stop by the store on your way home and buy cheese?
Inntil
1. Inntil means “until” (fram til). It is used to express the endpoint.
De reiste rundt i Norge inntil vinteren kom.
They traveled around Norway until winter came.
Denne båtruten er innstilt inntil videre på grunn av uværet.
This boat route is suspended until further notice due to the storm.
2. Inntil brukes med et maksimalt antall.
En toåring kan få inntil 1 time med skjermtid per dag.
A two-year-old can have up to 1 hour of screen time per day.
Noen skilpadder kan leve inntil 100 år.
Some turtles can live up to 100 years.
Innunder
1. Innunder can be used in the same way as bortimot. This preposition is quite rarely used.
Hun sa opp jobben rett innunder sommerferien.
She quit her job just before the summer vacation.
Jeg synes barna har vel mye å gjøre innunder høstferien.
I think the children have too much to do just before the autumn vacation.
Med
1. Med is used to express that something should happen right now, not later. We mostly find the preposition in two fixed expressions.
Kom hit med en gang!
Come here right away!
Vi dro med det samme idet vi skjønte hvor mye klokka var.
We left immediately when we realized what time it was.
2. Med is also used to express that something develops gradually, little by little, or in line with something.
Barna blir mer selvstendige med årene.
The children become more independent with the years.
Det blir spennende å følge med på hvordan el-bilene vil utvikle seg med tiden.
It will be exciting to follow how electric cars will develop over time.
Mellom
1. Mellom is used to define a time period.
Jeg pleier å spise lunsj mellom 11 og 12.
I usually eat lunch between 11 and 12. (This does not mean the person eats lunch for an hour, but that the person takes lunch sometime during this period.)
Vi kan møtes en gang mellom mandag og torsdag.
We can meet sometime between Monday and Thursday.
Mot
1. Mot is used to express that we are approaching a specific time.
Vi går mot lysere dager.
We are heading towards brighter days.
Selv om sommeren går mot slutten, spiser jeg fortsatt 4 is om dagen.
Even though we are towards the end of summer, I still eat 4 ice creams a day.
Om
1. Om is used to express that something happens at a specific time of day, day, month, or season. After om, the noun is in definite form.
Om vinteren er det oftere minusgrader.
In winter, it is often below freezing.
Barna lager matpakke selv om morgenen.
The children make their own lunch in the morning.
2. Om is also used for a specific time of day that is not today. Can express both past and future. See also i point 1.
Forrige uke var skikkelig hektisk. Om morgenen hadde jeg møter, om ettermiddagen hadde jeg kurs, og om kvelden måtte jeg skrive ferdig en rapport.
Last week was really hectic. In the morning, I had meetings, in the afternoon, I had courses, and in the evening, I had to finish writing a report.
3. Om can also mean ‘after’ (etter) and is used to express when something happens in the future.
Om to uker kommer svigerfamilien på besøk.
In two weeks, the in-laws are coming to visit.
Om tjue minutter starter tv-programmet mitt.
In twenty minutes, my TV show starts.
4. Om can also be used to tell how often we do something, or about the number, during a day.
Myndighetene anbefaler 5 grønt og frukt om dagen.
Authorities recommend 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Tannlegene anbefaler å pusse tennene om ganger om dagen.
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day.
Omkring
1. Omkring is used to express a time that is not exact.
Omkring klokka åtte skal jeg få en telefon fra fastlegen.
Around eight o’clock, I will get a call from my doctor.
Gotisk kunst oppsto omkring år 1100.
Gothic art emerged around the year 1100.
Over
1. Over is used to express that something happened over a period.
Mor kom på besøk på fredag og ble over helga.
Mom visited on Friday and stayed over the weekend.
Grunnet snøstormen måtte mange ha hjemmekontor over flere dager.
Due to the snowstorm, many had to work from home over several days.
2. Over can also mean “after” (etter).
Over nyåret starter vi mange spennende prosjekter.
After the New Year, we will start many exciting projects.
Kveldskurset slutter kvart over sju.
The evening course ends at a quarter past seven.
På
1. På is used to express how long it took to finish something.
Hvor mye norsk kan man lære på ett år?
How much Norwegian can you learn in one year?
Jeg leste ferdig krimboka på et par dager, den var så engasjerende.
I finished the crime novel in a couple of days; it was so engaging.
2. På is used to express how long we haven’t done something. Here the verb is in the present perfect tense.
Bestevennene har ikke sett hverandre på flere år fordi de bor i forskjellige land.
The best friends haven’t seen each other in several years because they live in different countries.
Jeg har ikke vært på teater på en stund siden det koster mye.
I haven’t been to the theater in a while since it costs a lot.
3. På brukes med ukedager og spesielle dager.
Hva skal du på nyttårsaften?
What are you doing on New Year’s Eve?
Det er et loppemarked på lørdag, vil du bli med?
There is a flea market on Saturday, do you want to come?
4. På is used with the clock, and means ‘at.’ (om).
Klokka er kvart på fem.
It’s a quarter to five.
Kan vi ha en kort pause kvart på fire?
Can we have a short break at a quarter to four?
5. På is used to express that something happened very quickly, or “immediately” (med en gang).
De bestemte seg for å flytte på dagen.
They decided to move that same day.
Finnes det ekspresslevering på timen?
Is there express delivery within the hour?
6. På is used with “-tallet” (decades and centuries).
Knut Hamsun ble født på 1800-tallet.
Knut Hamsun was born in the 1800s.
Jeg synes musikken var bedre på 90-tallet.
I think the music was better in the 90s.
7. På is used with early or late. Here om can also be used. See om point 1.
Du legger deg altfor sent på kvelden!
You go to bed too late in the evening!
Jeg må ha en kopp kaffe hvis jeg skal stå opp tidlig på morgenen.
I need a cup of coffee if I have to get up early in the morning.
Rundt
1. Rundt is used to express when something happened, without being exact. See omkring point 1.
Det er alltid mye å gjøre rundt denne tida av året.
There is always a lot to do around this time of year.
Det er mange som begynner å trene på treningssenter rundt nyåret.
Many people start working out at the gym around the New Year.
2. Rundt can mean ‘all’ (hele). Then rundt must be placed after the noun.
I Bergen regner det året rundt.
In Bergen, it rains all year round.
Om vinteren føles det ut som om det er mørkt dagen rundt.
In winter, it feels like it’s dark all day long.
Siden
1. Siden is used to express a point in the past that extends to the present.
Jeg har ikke sett ham siden vinter.
I haven’t seen him since winter.
Besteforeldrene mine har vært sammen siden 50-tallet.
My grandparents have been together since the 50s.
2. Siden is used in “It is…/It was…” sentences to express how long ago something happened, and means roughly the same as for – siden. Se for-siden punkt 1.
Det er to år siden jeg sist pratet med henne.
It’s been two years since I last talked to her.
Det er mange år siden jeg pleide å danse.
It’s been many years since I used to dance.
Til
1. Til is used to express how long something lasts, and when it ends.
Barnebarna er på besøk frem til sommerferien er slutt.
The grandchildren are visiting until the summer vacation ends.
Vi blir i Spania til onsdag.
We will stay in Spain until Wednesday.
2. Til is used to express a specific time in the future.
Til sommeren skal jeg spille tennis og lese i sola.
This summer, I will play tennis and read in the sun.
Har du noen planer til helga?
Do you have any plans for the weekend?
Under
1. Under is used to express that two things happen simultaneously.
Under korona var det mange som hadde hjemmekontor.
During the pandemic, many people worked from home.
Hun var hjemme og leste under hele eksamensperioden.
She was home and studying throughout the entire exam period.
Utover
1. Utover means ‘later’ (senere) or ‘during’ (i løpet av).
Det skal begynne å snø utover natta.
It will start snowing during the night.
Har du planer utover helgen?
Do you have plans for the weekend?
Utpå
1. Utpå means ‘later’ (senere) or ‘towards the end of’ (på slutten av).
Fansene ventet i køen til langt utpå dagen for å sikre de beste setene.
The fans waited in line until late in the day to secure the best seats.
Utbygging av et nytt boligområde vil vare til utpå høsten.
The construction of a new residential area will last until the fall.
Ved
1. Ved means ‘around’ (omkring) or ‘about’ (rundt).
Får vi en test ved oppstarten av kurset?
Will we have a test at the start of the course?
Hun er en morgenfugl som alltid står opp ved morgengry.
She is an early bird who always gets up at dawn.
Avslutning
Avslutningsvis er det verdt å nevne at det ikke er alle preposisjonene brukes like ofte. Noen preposisjoner betyr det samme og kan brukes om hverandre. Noen ganger er det snakk om preferanse, og andre ganger er det rett og slett det at noen preposisjoner er litt utdaterte eller kun brukes i formelle kontekster.
Preposisjoner kan være litt overveldende. Mitt beste tips er å bruke preposisjonene, både skriftlig og muntlig. Aktivt bruk er veldig viktig. Og mitt nest beste tips er å huske å puste med magen. Dette vil gå bra!
Skrevet av Iga Lesniak, norsklærer hos Alfaskolen.
Kilder
Strandskogen, Å.-B. & Strandskogen, R. (1985). Preposisjoner og partikler i norsk. Oris Forlag.
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