Klokken er tolv.

to be

Breakdown of Klokken er tolv.

• klokken: o'clock
• tolv: twelve

Questions & Answers about Klokken er tolv.

Why is it klokken and not just klokke?

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.

Why does Norwegian say the clock is twelve instead of it is twelve?

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.

What does er mean here?

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

So:

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

Why is tolv not followed by a word for o’clock?