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Questions & Answers about Vi spiser middag klokken sju.
Why is there no article before the word middag?
Norwegian normally drops articles with meal names when speaking generally about eating them. So you say spise frokost/lunsj/middag/kveldsmat without an article.
- General: Vi spiser middag.
- Specific (use the definite form): Middagen i går var god. (The dinner yesterday was good.)
- Specific event: Vi spiser den spesielle middagen klokka sju.
Does the present tense spiser mean both we eat and we are eating?
Yes. Norwegian present tense covers both simple and progressive meanings:
- Habitual/general: Vi spiser middag klokka sju (we usually eat at seven).
- Right now: context makes it clear, or add a helper: Vi sitter og spiser middag. / Vi holder på å spise middag.
Can this sentence refer to the future?
Yes. Norwegian often uses the present for scheduled or planned future events: Vi spiser middag klokka sju (i kveld). If you want to make the future explicit, use:
- Vi skal spise middag klokka sju.
- Vi kommer til å spise middag klokka sju.
What’s the word order rule with the time phrase? Can I say Klokka sju spiser vi middag?
Yes. Norwegian is a V2 language: the verb must be in second position. Both are correct:
- Neutral: Vi spiser middag klokka sju.
- Fronted time (focus on time): Klokka sju spiser vi middag.
Do I need a preposition before klokka/klokken?
No. You just say klokka/klokken + time. For approximation you can add words like:
- rundt/ca. klokka sju (around seven)
- ved sju-tiden (around seven-ish)
What’s the difference between klokken, klokka, and kl.?
They all mean “the clock,” used to tell time:
- klokken = definite form with -en (common in more formal Bokmål).
- klokka = definite feminine form (very common in speech and informal Bokmål).
- kl. = written abbreviation (e.g., kl. 19).
Is sju the same as syv?
Yes, both mean 7. In Bokmål both are correct. Sju is widely used in speech and is the recommended main form; syv is also common, especially in more formal or older styles.
How do I say 7 p.m. vs 7 a.m.?
Add a time-of-day phrase or use the 24‑hour clock:
- Morning: klokka sju om morgenen (7 a.m.)
- Evening: klokka sju om kvelden (7 p.m.)
- 24‑hour in speech/writing: klokka 19 / kl. 19
Can I drop klokka/klokken and just say Vi spiser middag sju?
No, that sounds wrong. You need klokka/klokken (or kl. in writing). Correct:
- Vi spiser middag klokka sju.
- Vi spiser middag ved sju-tiden. (around seven)
Could I say Vi har middag klokka sju?
Yes, but nuance changes slightly. Spiser middag focuses on the act of eating; har middag treats dinner as a scheduled event or mealtime. Both are natural in many contexts.
How do I make it clear it’s tonight?
Add a time adverbial:
- Vi spiser middag klokka sju i kveld.
- With fronting: I kveld spiser vi middag klokka sju.
What are the corresponding phrases for other meals?
- Vi spiser frokost klokka åtte. (breakfast)
- Vi spiser lunsj klokka tolv. (lunch)
- Vi spiser kveldsmat klokka ni. (evening meal/supper; also kveldsmat or kvelds, depending on region)
When would I use the definite form middagen?
Use it for a specific, identifiable dinner:
- Middagen begynner klokka sju.
- Den middagen vi planla, er klokka sju. General habits use the bare noun: Vi spiser middag klokka sju.
Are there regional differences in what middag means?
A bit. Traditionally middag is the main hot meal, often in the afternoon/early evening. In some areas it might be earlier than in big cities. If you need to be precise, add time words like i ettermiddag or i kveld.
Is there a comma after a fronted time phrase?
No comma is needed in a sentence like Klokka sju spiser vi middag. Norwegian generally doesn’t use a comma after short fronted adverbials.
How do I pronounce the tricky parts?
- sju: like English “shoo” (the Norwegian sj sound).
- spiser: roughly “SPEE-ser” (long i).
- middag: “MID-ah(g)”; the final g may be weak or silent in many accents.
- klokken/klokka: “KLOK-ken” / “KLOK-ka” (short o, doubled consonant = short vowel).
How do I ask What time do you eat dinner?
- Når spiser dere middag? You can also ask about the event:
- Når har dere middag?