Toget går presis klokken ni.

The train leaves exactly at nine o’clock.

Breakdown of Toget går presis klokken ni.

• toget: the train
• klokken: the clock
• ni: nine
• gå: to leave
• presis: exactly

Questions & Answers about Toget går presis klokken ni.

Why is the article attached to the noun in Toget instead of using a separate word for “the”?

Norwegian uses a suffixed definite article. Examples:

• et tog → toget (“the train”)
• tog (plural) → togene (“the trains”)
• en/ei klokke → klokka/klokken (“the clock/o’clock”) So Toget is simply “the train” with the article attached.

Why is the present tense går used for a future departure?

Norwegian uses the simple present for scheduled or timetabled future events. With a time expression, går naturally refers to a future departure. You can use skal or kommer til å for other shades of meaning, but timetables prefer the simple present.

Could I say Toget drar or Toget avgår instead of Toget går?

• går: neutral and very common for departures, especially in timetables.
• avgår: more formal/official. You’ll see it in announcements and on signs (e.g., Avgang kl. 09:00).
• drar: informal “leaves.” Fine in speech.
• reiser: usually for people, not vehicles (e.g., Vi reiser klokka ni).

Why presis and not presist here?

Here presis functions as an adverb (“exactly/on time”). Many adjectives form adverbs with -t (raskt), but adjectives ending in -s/-sk often use the base form as the adverb. presist is the neuter adjective form (e.g., et presist svar), not used adverbially in this sentence.

Can I move the time phrase to the front? What happens to word order?

Yes. Norwegian is a V2 language: the finite verb stays in second position.

• Klokka ni går toget (presis).
• Presis klokka ni går toget. The original order Toget går presis klokka ni is also fine; moving the time phrase changes emphasis, not meaning.

Where can I place presis?

All of these are idiomatic:

• Toget går presis klokka ni (very common).
• Toget går klokka ni presis.
• Presis klokka ni går toget. Alone (Toget går presis) can mean “the train is punctual (in general),” but without context it’s vague.

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

No. You say klokka/klokken + time: Toget går klokka ni. For “around,” use ved ni-tiden, rundt ni, or omtrent klokka ni. For “exactly on the dot,” use set phrases like på slaget ni or på minuttet.

What’s the difference between klokken, klokka, and kl.?

• klokken: masculine definite form; standard Bokmål.
• klokka: feminine definite form; very common in speech; also standard Bokmål.
• kl.: abbreviation before numerals in writing, e.g., kl. 09:00 (you’ll also see 09.00). Both klokken and klokka are correct; choose based on style/variety.

How do you pronounce the sentence?

One common pronunciation (Oslo-area): [ˈtuːɡə ɡoːɾ pɾeˈsiːs ˈklɔkːən niː] Tips:

• å in går is a long “o” sound.
• o in toget is like English “oo” (long u), and final -et is a schwa.
• kk in klokken makes the preceding vowel short.
• r is usually a tap or trill.

Does går literally mean “walks”? Why use it for trains?

Yes, gå is “to walk/go,” but idiomatically it’s used for departures of vehicles: Bussen går, Toget går. In travel/timetable contexts it means “leaves/departs,” not “walks.”

How do I say “around nine,” “after nine,” or “before nine”?

• Around: rundt ni, ved ni-tiden, omtrent klokka ni.
• After: etter ni, or litt over ni, fem over ni.
• Before: før ni, or fem på ni, ti på ni. Note: halv ti means 9:30 (half to ten), not 10:30.

Can I drop klokken/klokka and just say the number?

In speech, you normally include it: klokka ni. Toget går ni sounds odd. In writing with numerals, kl. 09:00 or simply 09:00 (when context makes it clear) is fine.