Jag hinner knappt dricka kaffe på morgonen.

I hardly have time to drink coffee in the morning.

Breakdown of Jag hinner knappt dricka kaffe på morgonen.

• jag: I
• dricka: to drink
• kaffet: the coffee
• på: in

Questions & Answers about Jag hinner knappt dricka kaffe på morgonen.

What exactly does hinna mean here, and how is it different from just saying “have time” or using kan?

Hinna means “to have enough time (to do something), to manage in time.” It implies a time limitation, not ability.

• Jag hinner dricka kaffe.
  = I have (enough) time to drink coffee / I manage to drink coffee (before I have to leave etc.).
• Jag kan dricka kaffe.
  = I can drink coffee (I’m able/allowed to; there is no obstacle).

In Jag hinner knappt dricka kaffe på morgonen, it’s not about whether you can drink coffee in general, but that your morning is so rushed that you barely have enough time to do it.

Why is it hinner knappt and not hinner dricka knappt kaffe or something like that? Where does knappt go?