Tilbakemeldte

Tilbakemeldte is a grammatical form in Norwegian that functions as the preterite (past tense) of the verb tilbakemelde, meaning to provide feedback or report back. It is used to describe a completed act of giving feedback by a subject in the past. For example, with a plural or singular subject: “Deltakerne tilbakemeldte arrangøren om opplegget.”

The form tilbakemeldte is not a noun but a finite verb form. The related past participle used with perfect tenses is tilbakemeldt, as in “har tilbakemeldt” (has given feedback). The more common noun for the concept of feedback is tilbakemelding, which is used to refer to the act or result of giving feedback, rather than the action itself in past tense.

Etymology traces tilbakemelde to tilbake, meaning back, combined with melde, meaning to report or announce. The noun tilbakemelding literally means “report back,” hence the established meaning of feedback in Norwegian. The form tilbakemeldte thus reflects the standard Norwegian pattern for past tense of many verbs formed with the root tilbakemelde.

Usage context for tilbakemeldte is primarily formal or written Norwegian, including educational, workplace, and evaluative settings where past feedback is described. It contrasts with tilbakemelding (the noun) and tilbakemeldt (the past participle used in perfect tenses). In everyday speech, speakers may also use synonyms such as gitt tilbakemelding (given feedback) or ha tilbakemeldt. See also tilbakemelding, evaluering, and tilbakemeldingskultur for related concepts.