Learning Norwegian can be an exciting journey, but like any language, it comes with its own set of challenges. One common point of confusion for English speakers learning Norwegian is the usage of mens and når, which translate to “while” and “when” in English, respectively. Both of these words are crucial for forming sentences that describe timing and conditions, but they are used in different contexts. This article aims to clarify the distinctions between mens and når, providing you with a solid understanding of when and how to use each.

The Basics: Definitions and Usage

Mens is used to describe actions happening simultaneously. It is equivalent to “while” in English. When you want to talk about two actions occurring at the same time, you use mens.

Jeg leser en bok mens hun lager middag.

Når is used to describe a specific moment in time or a condition. It is equivalent to “when” in English. You use når to talk about something that happens at a particular moment or under certain conditions.

Jeg ringer deg når jeg kommer hjem.

Detailed Explanation and Examples

Mens – “While”

Samtidig – Simultaneously. This word describes two or more actions occurring at the same time.
De jobbet samtidig med prosjektet.

Pågående – Ongoing. This word is used to describe actions that are in progress.
Filmen var pågående hele natten.

Handling – Action. This word refers to something that someone does.
Jeg liker å lese om natten, en vanlig handling for meg.

Aktivitet – Activity. This word describes something that you do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve a goal.
Trening er en viktig aktivitet for helsen.

Mens is often used to join two clauses, where each clause describes an action that is happening at the same time. For instance:

Jeg hører på musikk mens jeg jobber.

In this sentence, listening to music and working are two actions happening simultaneously.

Når – “When”

Tidspunkt – Point in time. This word refers to a specific moment when something happens.
Vi møtes ved et bestemt tidspunkt.

Øyeblikk – Moment. This word is used to describe a very brief period of time.
Det var et fantastisk øyeblikk.

Betingelse – Condition. This word describes a situation or state that must be met for something else to happen.
Vi vil dra på tur, under den betingelse at været er bra.

Begivenhet – Event. This word is used to describe something significant that happens.
Bryllupet var en stor begivenhet.

Når is used to specify the time something happens or the condition under which it happens. For example:

Vi spiser middag når han kommer hjem.

Here, dinner is the event that will happen at the specific time when he comes home.

Contrast and Comparison

While both mens and når can be used to describe timing, they are not interchangeable. The key is to understand whether you are describing simultaneous actions or a specific point in time or condition.

Consider the following examples:

Hun synger mens hun dusjer.

In this sentence, singing and showering are two actions happening at the same time, so mens is used.

Jeg ringer deg når jeg er ferdig.

Here, calling someone will happen at the specific time when the person is done, so når is appropriate.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One common mistake learners make is using mens when they should use når and vice versa. This often occurs because the distinction between simultaneous actions and specific points in time can be subtle.

Samtidig vs. Tidspunkt:
– If the actions are happening samtidig (simultaneously), use mens.
– If referring to a specific tidspunkt (point in time), use når.

Vi snakker mens vi går.
Jeg vil snakke med deg når jeg kommer hjem.

Pågående vs. Betingelse:
– For pågående (ongoing) actions, use mens.
– For actions based on a betingelse (condition), use når.

Han leser mens han venter på bussen.
Vi går ut når det slutter å regne.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding, try translating the following English sentences into Norwegian using mens or når appropriately.

1. I study while I listen to music.
2. Call me when you arrive.
3. She eats dinner while watching TV.
4. We will leave when everyone is ready.
5. He was reading while waiting for his friend.

Answers:
1. Jeg studerer mens jeg hører på musikk.
2. Ring meg når du ankommer.
3. Hun spiser middag mens hun ser på TV.
4. Vi drar når alle er klare.
5. Han leste mens han ventet på vennen sin.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

Mens can sometimes be used in more complex sentences involving subordinate clauses. For instance:

Han tenkte på fortiden mens han ventet på fremtiden.

This sentence means “He thought about the past while waiting for the future,” showing a more nuanced use of mens.

Når can also be used in hypothetical or conditional statements:

Hva vil du gjøre når du blir voksen?

This means “What will you do when you grow up?” and implies a future condition.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of mens and når is a significant step in becoming proficient in Norwegian. Remember, mens is used for simultaneous actions, and når is used for specific points in time or conditions. By practicing these distinctions, you’ll find that your ability to express timing and conditions in Norwegian becomes much clearer and more precise.

Keep practicing with different sentences and contexts, and soon the use of mens and når will become second nature. Happy learning!