klok
/klɔk/feminine, masculine
The Dutch word for clock is klok.
Klok is the standard and most common term for a clock. It is used to refer to an instrument that measures or tracks time, but it can also refer to a bell, such as a church bell.
Meaning: instrument to measure or keep track of time (noun)
Which one should you use?
While klok is the general term for any clock, a specific alarm clock is often referred to as a wekker.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of klok is klokken. The verb klokken means to measure the duration of something.
How do you pronounce it?
/klɔk/
Did you know?
- In modern Dutch slang, klokken can be used to describe the act of whistleblowing or reporting someone, though this is a figurative use of the word.
- The word klok likely imitates the sound of a bell ringing, making it an onomatopoeic word.
- The word klok shares a deep linguistic ancestor with the Old Irish word cloc, showing an ancient connection between Celtic and Germanic languages.
Examples in context
- De klok slaat 4.The clock strikes 4.This sentence shows how to say a clock strikes a specific time using klok.Tatoeba #7894747 by MarijnKp, translation #4271903 by EarlD3
- Ik heb een klok.I have a clock.This sentence demonstrates owning a clock using klok.Tatoeba #7894752 by MarijnKp, translation #7886973 by Ilia2
- De klok is kapot.The clock is broken.This sentence describes a clock that is broken using klok.Tatoeba #7894743 by MarijnKp, translation #1723773 by belgavox
- De klok geeft vier uur aanThe clock shows four o'clock
- Heb je gezien hoe laat het op de klok is?Did you see what time it is on the clock?
- Het uurwerk in de woonkamer loopt voorThe clock in the living room is fast
- 79 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sophie and Lucas are in a living room looking at a wall.
- SophieKijk, Lucas, wat een mooie klok!Look, Lucas, what a beautiful clock!
- LucasJa, maar de klok loopt iets te snel.Yes, but the clock is running a bit too fast.
- SophieKun jij de klok dan gelijkzetten?Can you set the clock right then?
- LucasIk doe het zo meteen.I will do it in a moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clock” translations and entries klok, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries klok, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
