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Talking About the Past
Two past forms (preterite & perfect) and the verb groups that build them.
If you remember nothing else
- •Preterite (simple past): 'jeg snakket' = I spoke / I talked.
- •Present perfect: 'har' + past participle: 'jeg har snakket' = I have spoken.
- •Regular verbs fall into a few groups; most add -et or -te.
The two pasts
The preterite is for finished actions at a specific time ('yesterday I worked'). The present perfect ('har' + participle) is for experiences or actions linked to now ('I have worked here for years'). This split mirrors English fairly well.
Jeg jobbet i går.
I worked yesterday. (preterite)
Jeg har jobbet her i fem år.
I have worked here for five years. (perfect)
Regular groups
Most verbs are regular. Group 1 adds -et (snakke → snakket). Group 2 adds -te (spise → spiste). The participle (after 'har') is usually the same as the preterite for these groups. Don't over-memorise the group numbers, just learn each verb's past form when you meet it.
å snakke → snakket → har snakket
to speak → spoke → have spoken
å spise → spiste → har spist
to eat → ate → have eaten
å bo → bodde → har bodd
to live → lived → have lived
Common irregulars worth memorising
A handful of high-frequency verbs are irregular. These are worth drilling because you'll use them constantly.
å være → var → har vært
to be → was → have been
å ha → hadde → har hatt
to have → had → have had
å gå → gikk → har gått
to go → went → have gone
å se → så → har sett
to see → saw → have seen
å gjøre → gjorde → har gjort
to do → did → have done
Quick check
3 questions. Get them right to lock in the lesson.