Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Kan du komme nøyaktig klokken sju? - Can you come exactly at seven o’clock?

Yes/no questions in Norwegian invert the first verb and the subject. The statement is Du kan komme nøyaktig klokken sju. In the question, the modal is fronted: Kan du komme nøyaktig klokken sju?

Why is it komme and not å komme after kan?

After modal verbs (kan, vil, skal, må, bør, får), Norwegian uses the bare infinitive without å. Hence kan komme, not kan å komme.

Can I drop the subject du like in English polite requests?

No. Norwegian normally requires an explicit subject. If you want a subjectless request, use the imperative: Kom nøyaktig klokka sju!

What’s the difference between klokka and klokken?

Both mean the definite form of klokke (the clock, used idiomatically for o’clock). In Bokmål you can choose masculine (klokken) or feminine (klokka). Klokka is more colloquial; klokken can feel more formal. Both are correct.

Do I need a preposition like “at” before the time?

No. You just use the definite form of clock + number: klokka/klokken sju. Prepositions like ved mean around/about and change the meaning: ved sju ≈ around seven.

Is it sju or syv?

Both are standard for 7. sju is very common in speech and in Nynorsk; syv is also standard Bokmål and somewhat more formal or conservative. Use one consistently; both are understood everywhere.

Can I move nøyaktig to another place in the sentence?

Yes. Common options:

Kan du komme nøyaktig klokka sju? (neutral, very natural)
Kan du komme klokka nøyaktig sju? (also natural)
Kan du komme klokka sju nøyaktig? (fine; puts afterthought emphasis on exactness) All mean the same; placement adjusts emphasis slightly.

Is nøyaktig the best word here, or should I use presis or akkurat?

All work:

presis is the go‑to word for punctuality: kom presis klokka sju.
akkurat is very common in speech: akkurat klokka sju.
nøyaktig is “exact/precise” in a general sense; with time it’s idiomatic but can sound a bit more formal or emphatic.

How polite is Kan du …? Are there more polite alternatives?

Kan du … is a neutral, polite request. Softer options:

Kunne du … (more tentative/polite)
Vær så snill og/å kom … (please come …)
Skulle du kunne … (very polite/formal, somewhat old‑fashioned)

What’s the difference between Kan du komme … and Kommer du …?

Kan du komme … asks about ability/willingness (and functions as a request).
Kommer du … asks whether it is part of your plan/arrangement (more like “Are you coming …?”).

How do I specify AM vs PM?

Norwegian doesn’t use AM/PM in speech. Say:

om morgenen / på morgenen (in the morning)
på ettermiddagen (in the afternoon)
på kvelden (in the evening) Or use the 24‑hour clock: klokka nitten for 19:00.

How can I write the time in an abbreviation?

Use kl. before the time. Examples: kl. 7, kl. 07.00, kl. 19.00. A dot is common as the separator (07.00), though a colon (07:00) is also widely seen.

Any pronunciation tips for tricky parts?

du: the vowel is a front rounded [ʉ] (say ee with rounded lips).
sju: initial sj is a sh‑like sound further back in the mouth; the vowel is the same rounded [ʉ].
nøy‑ in nøyaktig: øy is a diphthong like a blended French eu + y glide.
komme: double m means a longer m; o like in British “off”.
klokka/klokken: o like “off”; double k is clearly pronounced.

Why is it the definite klokka/klokken when talking about time?

It’s an idiomatic construction: literally “the clock seven,” meaning “o’clock.” Norwegian expresses clock time with the definite noun + number: klokka/klokken sju.

How would I answer this naturally?

Yes: Ja, det kan jeg. or Ja, jeg kan komme nøyaktig klokka sju.
No (with alternative): Beklager, jeg kan ikke, men jeg kan komme klokka halv åtte.

Could I use møte (opp) instead of komme?

Yes, depending on nuance. komme = come/arrive (general). møte or møte opp = show up/attend (for a meeting/event). For appointments, møte opp nøyaktig klokka sju is natural.