Language/Danish/Vocabulary/Telling-Time
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As you progress in your Danish language learning journey, you will find that being able to tell time is a fundamental skill, as it helps you manage your daily activities and communicate efficiently with locals in Denmark. In this lesson, we will explore how to tell time in Danish, including expressions for hours, minutes, and different parts of the day.
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Days of the Week & At the Store.
Expressions for Time
To tell time in Danish, you need to know a few expressions related to time. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Klokken (the clock)
- Hvor mange timer (how many hours)
- Hvor mange minutter (how many minutes)
- Om morgenen (in the morning)
- Om formiddagen (in the late morning)
- Om eftermiddagen (in the afternoon)
- Om aftenen (in the evening)
- Om natten (at night)
Here are some examples of how to use these expressions in sentences:
- Klokken er fire (It is four o'clock)
- Hvor mange timer er der til middag? (How many hours until lunch?)
- Hvor mange minutter er der til tolv? (How many minutes until twelve?)
- Jeg står altid tidligt op om morgenen (I always get up early in the morning)
- Vi har en vigtig aftale om formiddagen (We have an important appointment in the late morning)
- Lad os tage i biografen om eftermiddagen (Let's go to the movies in the afternoon)
- Vi plejer at se fjernsyn om aftenen (We usually watch TV in the evening)
- Det er for farligt at køre om natten (It is too dangerous to drive at night)
Parts of the Day
In Danish, there are different expressions for different parts of the day. Here are some of the most common ones:
| Danish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| morgen | [ˈmɒːɡən] | morning |
| formiddag | [ˈfɒːmiðɑŋ] | late morning |
| eftermiddag | [ˈæftɐmiðɑŋ] | afternoon |
| aften | [ˈæfn̩] | evening |
| nat | [næt] | night |
Here are some examples of how to use these expressions in sentences:
- Jeg står altid tidligt op om morgenen (I always get up early in the morning)
- Jeg arbejder bedst om formiddagen (I work best in the late morning)
- Lad os tage en pause om eftermiddagen (Let's take a break in the afternoon)
- Vi plejer at se fjernsyn om aftenen (We usually watch TV in the evening)
- Det er for farligt at køre om natten (It is too dangerous to drive at night)
Telling Time in Danish
Telling time in Danish follows the same basic principles as in English. However, there are a few differences in the way you express time. Here are some examples of how to tell time in Danish:
- Klokken syv (7 o'clock)
- Kvart over fem (15 minutes past 5)
- Halv ti (9:30)
- Kvart i tolv (15 minutes to 12)
- Fem minutter i otte (5 minutes to 8)
- Elleve og fyrre minutter (11:40)
Here are some examples of how to use these expressions in sentences:
- Klokken er fire (It is four o'clock)
- Skolen starter klokken otte (School starts at eight o'clock)
- Vi skal mødes klokken halv ni (We are meeting at half past eight)
- Jeg tager toget klokken kvart over seks (I am taking the train at quarter past six)
- Jeg skal hente min datter klokken fem i eftermiddag (I am picking up my daughter at five minutes to five in the afternoon)
- Jeg går altid i seng klokken ti om aftenen (I always go to bed at ten o'clock at night)
Exercises
To practice what you have learned in this lesson, try the following exercises:
- Translate the following times to Danish:
- 8:15 am
- 12:30 pm
- 7:45 pm
- Write five sentences about your daily routine using time expressions in Danish.
- Describe your favorite time of the day and why using Danish expressions.
Conclusion
By now, you should be able to tell time in Danish, including expressions for hours, minutes, and different parts of the day. Remember to practice regularly by asking Danish speakers about the time, telling time to others, and using time expressions in your daily life. In the next lesson, we will learn about Danish nouns and articles.
Other Lessons
- Clothes
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Colors
- Days, Months, and Seasons
- Animal
- Modes of Transportation
- At the Post Office
- Travel Vocabulary
- House and Home
Sources
- Telling Time in Danish - Everything You Need to Know
- How To Tell The Time In Danish
- #1 Expert Guide To Dates And Time In Danish - Ling App
| ◀️ Days, Months, and Seasons — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Definite and Indefinite Articles ▶️ |