Time prepositions
Time prepositions i, på, and om for duration, days, and future time.
I can use i, på, and om to talk about time in Norwegian.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Jeg jobber i to timer.
I work for two hours.
Vi møtes på mandag.
We meet on Monday.
Toget går om fem minutter.
The train leaves in five minutes.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Three prepositions for time: i (duration/months), på (days), om (future).
| Preposition | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| i | duration, months | i to timer, i januar |
| på | weekdays | på mandag |
| om | future gap | om en time |
🇬🇧 Don't use 'in' for days: ❌ in Monday → ✅ på mandag. 🇷🇺 «в понедельник» → på mandag. 🇨🇿 'v pondělí' → på mandag; 'za hodinu' → om en time.
Common Error Patterns
Using wrong preposition for time context
i = duration/month, på = day, om = future gap
Using 'i' instead of 'på' for days
Days of the week always take 'på': på mandag, på tirsdag
Jeg jobber i to timer.
I work for two hours.
'i' + duration = for (a period of time)
Vi møtes på mandag.
We meet on Monday.
'på' + day of the week
Toget går om fem minutter.
The train leaves in five minutes.
'om' + time = in (future)
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises