Klokken er tolv.

Because klokken is the definite form of klokke (clock).

• en klokke = a clock
• klokken = the clock

In this expression, Norwegian uses the clock where English usually just says it:

• Klokken er tolv. = It is twelve o’clock.

This is the normal way to tell time in Norwegian.

That is just the standard Norwegian structure for telling time.

English uses a dummy subject:

• It is twelve.

Norwegian usually uses klokken:

• Klokken er tolv.

So when speaking about the time, Norwegian commonly treats the clock as the subject of the sentence.

Er means is. It is the present tense of the verb å være (to be).

So:

• klokken = the clock
• er = is
• tolv = twelve

In Norwegian, you usually do not need a separate word like o’clock in a sentence like this.

• Klokken er tolv. is already complete and natural.

If needed, context tells you that this is the time. Norwegian does have ways to be more specific, but in everyday speech, Klokken er tolv is enough.

A simple learner-friendly pronunciation guide is:

KLOK-en er tolv

A bit more closely:

• Klokken: the o is short, and the word has two syllables
• er: often pronounced very lightly, almost like ær or a reduced e(r)
• tolv: sounds roughly like tolv, with a clear v at the end

In natural speech, it can sound a little compressed:

• Klokken er tolv → almost KLOKK-en er tolv

Exact pronunciation varies slightly by dialect.

Yes. Klokka er tolv is also very common, especially in speech and in many dialects or informal forms.

You may see:

• Klokken er tolv
• Klokka er tolv

Both mean the same thing.
A learner will often meet klokken in more standard written Bokmål, but klokka is very common in everyday use.

Klokken er tolv is standard Bokmål.

In Nynorsk, you would more commonly see:

• Klokka er tolv

So if you are learning Bokmål, Klokken er tolv is perfectly normal.

Either is possible, depending on context.

• Klokken er tolv.
• Klokken er 12.

When teaching language, numbers are often written out in words so learners can focus on vocabulary and pronunciation. In everyday writing, both forms can appear.

Usually, no—not as the normal basic way to tell time.

Norwegian normally uses:

• Klokken er tolv.

Using den (it) would sound unusual unless the context is very specific and you are referring back to something already mentioned. For telling the time, klokken is the standard choice.

It follows the basic Norwegian pattern:

subject + verb + complement

So:

• Klokken = subject
• er = verb
• tolv = complement

This is the same basic order as in many simple English sentences:

• The clock is twelve

Yes, by itself it can mean either 12:00 midday or 12:00 at night. The sentence only says twelve o’clock.

If you need to be more specific, context usually makes it clear, or you can add words such as:

• Klokken er tolv om dagen = It is twelve during the day
• Klokken er tolv om natten = It is twelve at night

But in many situations, no extra clarification is needed.

Yes, absolutely.

For example:

• Hva er klokken? = What time is it?
• Klokken er tolv.

This is a complete and natural answer.

Very often, yes, especially in basic time statements:

• Klokken er ett.
• Klokken er fem.
• Klokken er tolv.

But Norwegian also has other time expressions, especially for half hours, quarters, exact clock times, and informal speech. Still, Klokken er ... is one of the most important basic patterns to learn first.