Bedeutung
Indicating time has passed.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Norwegians are famous for their 'tidsklemma' (time-squeeze). Being late is often seen as a lack of discipline. In Norwegian business, deadlines are 'hard'. If a tender is due at 12:00, 12:01 is 'for sent' and you will be disqualified. There is an unwritten rule about calling people after 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM. Doing so might prompt the response 'Det er for sent å ringe nå'. The Norwegian Mountain Code (Fjellvettreglene) emphasizes timing. Turning back before it's 'for sent' is a key safety rule.
Use 'altfor' for drama
If you want to sound more native when you're frustrated, say 'Det er ALTFOR sent!'
Don't say 'Jeg er sent'
Always use 'Jeg er sen' or 'Jeg kommer for sent' for people.
Bedeutung
Indicating time has passed.
Use 'altfor' for drama
If you want to sound more native when you're frustrated, say 'Det er ALTFOR sent!'
Don't say 'Jeg er sent'
Always use 'Jeg er sen' or 'Jeg kommer for sent' for people.
The 15-minute rule
In Norway, being 15 minutes late without calling is often the point where people say 'Det er for sent' and leave.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to say 'It is too late.'
Det er ___ sent.
In this context, 'for' means 'too'.
Which sentence is correct when you miss a train?
The train left 5 minutes ago.
'Det er for sent' describes the situation of being too late.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi dra på kino nå? B: Nei, filmen begynte for en time siden. ___.
If the movie started an hour ago, it is too late to go.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to call a friend at 3 AM.
3 AM is generally considered too late for social calls.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDet er ___ sent.
In this context, 'for' means 'too'.
The train left 5 minutes ago.
'Det er for sent' describes the situation of being too late.
A: Skal vi dra på kino nå? B: Nei, filmen begynte for en time siden. ___.
If the movie started an hour ago, it is too late to go.
You want to call a friend at 3 AM.
3 AM is generally considered too late for social calls.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenYes, 'seint' is a very common variation used in many dialects and in Nynorsk. It is perfectly understood.
'Sent' is an adverb (describing the situation), while 'sen' is an adjective (describing a person or thing).
It can be blunt. To be more polite, add 'beklager' (sorry) or 'dessverre' (unfortunately).
Use 'Det begynner å bli sent.'
In modern Norwegian, no. Use 'sakte' or 'treig' for slow.
Verwandte Redewendungen
i tide
contrastIn time
for seint
synonymToo late (dialect/nynorsk)
toget har gått
similarThe train has left
i seneste laget
specialized formA bit late / on the edge
altfor sent
builds onWay too late
