A1 Norwegian GrammarTime Expressions
Master telling time in Norwegian and learn essential time vocabulary. Understand days of the week, months, seasons, and common time phrases like i dag (today), i morgen (tomorrow), and i går (yesterday). Learn to ask and answer questions about time.
1Telling Time (Klokka)
In Norwegian, ask 'Hva er klokka?' (What time is it?) or 'Hvor mye er klokka?' The answer uses 'Klokka er...' followed by the time. For exact hours, say 'klokka + number'. For half past, use 'halv' + the NEXT hour (halv tre = 2:30). This takes practice!
Telling Time
| Time | Norwegian | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 | klokka ett | one o'clock |
| 2:30 | halv tre | half (to) three |
| 3:15 | kvart over tre | quarter past three |
| 3:45 | kvart på fire | quarter to four |
Examples
Hva er klokka?
What time is it?
klokka = the clock
Klokka er tolv.
It is twelve o'clock.
tolv = twelve
Møtet starter halv ni.
The meeting starts at 8:30.
halv ni = half to nine
Toget går kvart over fem.
The train leaves at 5:15.
kvart over = quarter past
2Days of the Week
Norwegian days of the week are not capitalized (unlike English). The week traditionally starts on Monday. Days often appear without articles in time expressions. Use 'på' + day for 'on Monday/Tuesday/etc.'
Days of the Week
| Norwegian | English | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| mandag | Monday | man. |
| tirsdag | Tuesday | tir. |
| onsdag | Wednesday | ons. |
| torsdag | Thursday | tor. |
| fredag | Friday | fre. |
| lørdag | Saturday | lør. |
| søndag | Sunday | søn. |
Examples
I dag er det mandag.
Today is Monday.
no capital letter
Vi møtes på fredag.
We meet on Friday.
på + day
Butikken er stengt på søndag.
The store is closed on Sunday.
stengt = closed
Hver lørdag går vi på tur.
Every Saturday we go hiking.
hver = every
3Months and Seasons
Like days, months are not capitalized in Norwegian. Use 'i' + month for 'in January/February/etc.' The four seasons are 'vår' (spring), 'sommer' (summer), 'høst' (autumn), and 'vinter' (winter). Use 'om' + season for 'in spring/summer/etc.'
Months
| Norwegian | English | Norwegian | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| januar | January | juli | July |
| februar | February | august | August |
| mars | March | september | September |
| april | April | oktober | October |
| mai | May | november | November |
| juni | June | desember | December |
Examples
Jeg er født i mai.
I was born in May.
i + month
Det snør mye i januar.
It snows a lot in January.
snør = snows
Om sommeren er det varmt.
In summer it is warm.
om + season
Høsten er vakker i Norge.
Autumn is beautiful in Norway.
høsten = the autumn
4Common Time Expressions
These everyday phrases help you talk about past, present, and future. 'I dag' (today), 'i morgen' (tomorrow), 'i går' (yesterday) are essential. Note: 'i morgen' means tomorrow, but 'om morgenen' means 'in the morning'.
Essential Time Words
| Norwegian | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| i dag | today | I dag er jeg hjemme. |
| i morgen | tomorrow | Vi reiser i morgen. |
| i går | yesterday | I går regnet det. |
| nå | now | Hva gjør du nå? |
Examples
Hva gjør du i kveld?
What are you doing tonight?
i kveld = this evening
Vi spiste ute i går kveld.
We ate out last night.
i går kveld = last night
Han kommer snart.
He is coming soon.
snart = soon
Frokost er om morgenen.
Breakfast is in the morning.
om morgenen = in the morning