Key Danish Vocabulary for Telling the Time
Before diving into time expressions, it’s important to familiarize yourself with some basic Danish words and numbers:
- Time – tid
- Hour – time (pronounced “tee-meh”)
- Minute – minut
- Second – sekund
- Clock – ur
- Quarter – kvarter
- Half – halv
- Past – over
- To – i
How to Ask for the Time in Danish
To ask “What time is it?” in Danish, you say:
- Hvad er klokken?
This is the standard question you’ll hear and use in everyday conversations.
Understanding the Danish Clock System
Danish people typically use both the 12-hour and 24-hour clock, but the 24-hour format is more common in schedules, timetables, and official contexts. However, in casual conversation, the 12-hour system is often preferred, so you should be comfortable with both.
The 12-Hour Clock
When speaking informally, Danes use the numbers 1 to 12, just as in English.
- Klokken er fem – It’s five o’clock
- Klokken er to – It’s two o’clock
The 24-Hour Clock
The 24-hour system is straightforward. For example:
- Klokken er fjorten – It’s 14:00 (2:00 PM)
- Klokken er atten – It’s 18:00 (6:00 PM)
Expressing Minutes Past and To the Hour
Unlike English, Danish often refers to time in relation to the next hour, especially with “half” and “quarter.” Here’s how it works:
- Klokken er fem minutter over to – It’s five past two (2:05)
- Klokken er ti minutter i tre – It’s ten to three (2:50)
Using “Half” in Danish Time
This is a unique aspect of Danish (and some other Scandinavian languages):
- Klokken er halv tre – It’s half past two (2:30, not 3:30!)
“Halv” always refers to the half hour before the stated hour.
Using “Quarter” in Danish Time
- Klokken er kvart over to – It’s quarter past two (2:15)
- Klokken er kvart i tre – It’s quarter to three (2:45)
Examples of Common Time Expressions
- Klokken er præcis ni – It’s exactly nine o’clock
- Klokken er lidt over syv – It’s a little past seven
- Klokken er næsten elleve – It’s almost eleven
Tips for Practicing Telling Time in Danish
- Practice with a real or digital clock. Set times and try saying them aloud in Danish.
- Listen to Danish radio or watch Danish TV shows, paying attention to how speakers mention the time.
- Use the Talkpal platform to engage in interactive exercises focused on time expressions.
- Ask a language partner or tutor to quiz you regularly on different times of the day.
Cultural Notes on Time in Denmark
Punctuality is valued in Danish culture, so being able to tell and understand time is more than just a language skill—it’s a sign of respect. In public transport and appointments, the 24-hour clock is common, while friendly gatherings may use the 12-hour format. Danes also tend to use “om morgenen” (in the morning), “om eftermiddagen” (in the afternoon), and “om aftenen” (in the evening) to clarify times.
Conclusion
Mastering how to tell the time in Danish opens up new opportunities for communication and cultural understanding. By learning the unique ways Danes express the time, you’ll be able to interact more naturally and confidently in any situation. For more tips, interactive practice, and personalized language learning, explore the resources and tools available on Talkpal. Happy learning, and remember: “Tid er penge!” – Time is money!
