Meaning
Coming back to a previous place.
Cultural Background
The return of the sun (Sola kommer tilbake) is a major cultural event in Northern Norway, celebrated with 'solboller' (sun buns). Norwegians value punctuality. If you say 'Jeg kommer straks tilbake,' people expect you to be back within 5-10 minutes maximum. The theme of 'returning' is central to many Norwegian works, reflecting the country's history of seafaring and emigration to America. When returning to a social gathering, it is polite to briefly mention where you were if you were gone for a while.
The 'I'll be back' rule
If you want to sound like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Norwegian, say 'Jeg kommer tilbake.'
Past Tense Trap
Don't forget that 'kom' is the past tense. 'Jeg komme tilbake i går' is a very common A1/A2 error.
Meaning
Coming back to a previous place.
The 'I'll be back' rule
If you want to sound like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Norwegian, say 'Jeg kommer tilbake.'
Past Tense Trap
Don't forget that 'kom' is the past tense. 'Jeg komme tilbake i går' is a very common A1/A2 error.
Professional Polish
Use 'Jeg skal komme tilbake til deg' in emails to sound professional when you need more time to find an answer.
The 'Takk for sist' connection
When you come back to see someone, always mention the last time you met.
Test Yourself
Fyll ut med riktig form av 'å komme tilbake'.
I går ___ han ___ fra Bergen.
We use the past tense 'kom' because the sentence mentions 'i går' (yesterday).
Hvilken setning er riktig?
A: Jeg skal komme tilbake boken din. B: Jeg skal levere tilbake boken din.
You cannot 'komme tilbake' an object; you must use 'levere' (deliver/give).
Fullfør dialogen.
Lise: 'Når kommer du hjem?' Per: 'Jeg ___ ___ om en time.'
The question is in the present/future, so the answer should be too.
Match situasjonen med riktig setning.
Situasjon: Du er i et møte og vil snakke om et tema senere.
This is the standard way to postpone a topic in a meeting.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Komme vs. Gå vs. Levere
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI går ___ han ___ fra Bergen.
We use the past tense 'kom' because the sentence mentions 'i går' (yesterday).
A: Jeg skal komme tilbake boken din. B: Jeg skal levere tilbake boken din.
You cannot 'komme tilbake' an object; you must use 'levere' (deliver/give).
Lise: 'Når kommer du hjem?' Per: 'Jeg ___ ___ om en time.'
The question is in the present/future, so the answer should be too.
Situasjon: Du er i et møte og vil snakke om et tema senere.
This is the standard way to postpone a topic in a meeting.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it is two separate words: a verb and an adverbial particle.
It's better to use 'levere tilbake' or 'returnere' for physical objects.
'Vende tilbake' is more formal and literary. 'Komme tilbake' is for everyday speech.
You say 'Jeg er tilbake'.
Yes, this means 'to come back yet again' or 'to return once more'.
No, 'tilbake' is an adverb and never changes its form.
Yes, it is a strong verb in all its meanings.
You say 'Velkommen tilbake!'.
Yes, 'De kom tilbake i kampen' is very common.
Use 'til'. For example: 'komme tilbake til Oslo'.
Yes, but it is usually written 'kome tilbake'.
No, for that you would use 'å komme på' or 'å huske'.
Related Phrases
å vende tilbake
synonymTo return (more formal/poetic)
å returnere
synonymTo return (often technical)
å komme igjen
similarTo come again / Come on!
å komme til hektene
specialized formTo recover/get back on one's feet
å gå tilbake
contrastTo walk back / To go back
å flytte tilbake
specialized formTo move back
