Vi spiser vanligvis middag klokken seks.

We usually eat dinner at six o'clock.

Breakdown of Vi spiser vanligvis middag klokken seks.

• spise: to eat
• vi: we
• middagen: the dinner
• klokken: the clock
• seks: six
• vanligvis: usually

Questions & Answers about Vi spiser vanligvis middag klokken seks.

Why is there no article before middag?

Norwegian meal names (frokost, lunsj, middag, kveldsmat) are usually used without an article when you mean the meal in general: "å spise middag" = "to eat dinner." If you make it specific or add an adjective, you use an article: "en sen middag," "middagen var god."

What does klokken mean here, and why is it definite?

Klokken is the definite singular of "klokke" (clock). In time expressions you use the definite form: "klokken/klokka + number" literally means "the clock: six" = "at six o'clock."

Where should vanligvis go in the sentence?

In a main clause, the finite verb must be second (the V2 rule). With the subject first, you get: "Vi (subject) spiser (verb) vanligvis (adverb) middag ..."

Is "Vi vanligvis spiser middag ..." correct?

No. It breaks the V2 rule. Say "Vi spiser vanligvis middag ..." or front the adverb: "Vanligvis spiser vi middag ..."

Can I put vanligvis at the beginning?

Yes: "Vanligvis spiser vi middag klokken seks." When something other than the subject comes first, you still keep the verb in second position and invert the subject and verb.

Is "Vi spiser middag vanligvis" okay?

It’s possible as an afterthought or contrast in speech, but the neutral, most natural position is before the object: "Vi spiser vanligvis middag ..."

How do I make a yes–no question from this sentence?

Invert the subject and verb: "Spiser vi vanligvis middag klokken seks?" In casual speech you can keep statement order and use rising intonation, but inversion is the standard written form.

How do I negate it?

Place ikke after the verb and before the object/adverbs: "Vi spiser ikke middag klokken seks." With fronting: "Vanligvis spiser vi ikke middag klokken seks" (= Usually we don't eat dinner at six).

What’s the difference between vanligvis and pleier å?

• vanligvis = usually/generally (frequency).
• pleier å + infinitive = tend to/usually do (habit/routine).
  Both are fine here: "Vi pleier å spise middag klokken seks." "Pleier å" can sound a bit more like a fixed routine.

Klokken vs klokka vs kl. — which should I use?

All are correct in Bokmål:

• "klokken seks" = standard/formal.
• "klokka seks" = common, colloquial (feminine ending).
• "kl. 18" or "kl. 6" = common in writing; formal texts often use 24‑hour time (kl. 18).

Does klokken seks mean 6 a.m. or 6 p.m.? How do I clarify?

It’s ambiguous. To specify:

• "klokka seks om morgenen" (6 a.m.)
• "klokka seks om kvelden" (6 p.m.)
• Or use 24‑hour time: "klokken 18" / "kl. 18."

Why is it spiser for all persons? Is there subject–verb agreement?

Norwegian has no subject–verb agreement. Present tense is the same for all persons: "jeg/du/han/vi/de spiser."
(Verb: å spise – spiser – spiste – har spist.)

Any quick pronunciation tips?

• vi ≈ "vee" (long i)
• spiser ≈ "SPEE-sehr" (r lightly pronounced)
• vanligvis ≈ "VAHN-lee-vees" (the g in -lig is often silent)
• middag ≈ "MID-ah(g)" (long d; final g often weak or silent)
• klokken ≈ "KLOK-ken" (short o like in "off", double k)
• seks ≈ "seks"

Why use middag and not kveldsmat?

In Norway, middag is the main hot meal, commonly eaten in late afternoon/early evening (around 4–6 p.m.). kveldsmat is a lighter evening meal/snack later on. So "Vi spiser middag ..." refers to the main meal.

Can I say this without klokken, like English "We eat dinner at six"?

You need a time marker. You can’t say "*Vi spiser middag seks." Use:

• "Vi spiser middag klokka/klokken seks."
• "Vi spiser middag rundt seks." (around six)
• "Vi spiser middag ved sekstiden/sekstida." (around six)

How does this look inside a subordinate clause?

In subordinate clauses, adverbs like vanligvis/ikke come before the verb:
"Jeg vet at vi vanligvis spiser middag klokken seks."
Not: "*at vi spiser vanligvis ..."

Are there synonyms for vanligvis?

Yes: som regel (as a rule), normalt, oftest (most often). Word order is the same: "Vi spiser som regel middag ..." / "Som regel spiser vi ..."

How do I talk about present vs past habit?

• Present habit: "Vi spiser (vanligvis) ..." / "Vi pleier å spise ..."
• Past habit: "Vi pleide å spise ..." / "Vi spiste alltid ..."