Differentiating Between “Da” (When) and “Når” (When) in Norwegian

Norwegian language learners often grapple with the words “da” and “når,” both of which translate to “when” in English. However, they are not interchangeable in their use. This guide will focus solely on differentiating between “da” and “når” in various contexts.

The Usage of “Da”

“Da” corresponds to the English “when” but specifically in the past tense. It refers to a distinct moment or period that has already occurred. The speaker uses “da” when recounting or referring to a past event.

For instance,

• “Da jeg var liten, bodde jeg i Oslo.” (When I was young, I lived in Oslo.)
• “Hva gjorde du da det regnet?” (What did you do when it rained?)

The Usage of “Når”

“Når,” on the other hand, refers to any time frame – future, present, or habitual past. It aligns with the English “when” and also “whenever.”

For example,

• “Når jeg drar til byen, tar jeg bussen.” (When I go to the city, I take the bus.) – This statement indicates a recurring or habitual action.
• “Hva skal du gjøre når du er ferdig med skolen?” (What will you do when you finish school?) – This question refers to a future event.

“Når” also features in direct and indirect questions, meaning “when.”

For instance,

• “Når kommer toget?” (When is the train coming?)
• “Jeg lurer på når bursdagen din er.” (I wonder when your birthday is.)

In Summary

The key difference between “da” and “når” in Norwegian lies in their time references. “Da” is used to discuss specific past moments or periods, while “når” can refer to actions or events in the future, present, or habitual past. Additionally, “når” is used in the context of questions. Understanding these differences will greatly enhance your fluency in the Norwegian language.

If you want to learn Norwegian, you can register for classes here. If you want to check you Norwegian level for free, you can do that here. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you become fluent in Norwegian!