paljonko kello on?
/ˈpɑljoŋko ˈkelːo ˈon/word by word
The Finnish phrase for "what time is it?" is paljonko kello on?
This phrase is used to ask for the current time of day.
What does it mean word for word?
The word on means "is".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpɑljoŋko ˈkelːo ˈon/
Did you know?
- Historically, the connection between 'bell' and 'clock' exists because time was once announced by ringing church bells rather than by looking at a mechanical face.
- In Finnish, you do not ask 'what time is it' by asking for the 'time', but by asking 'how much' the 'bell' is. The word paljonko means 'how much'.
- The suffix -ko in paljonko is a grammatical marker that transforms the word into a question. It acts like a verbal question mark.
Example conversation
Emma and Juho are waiting for a bus.
- EmmaJuho, paljonko kello on?Juho, what time is it?
- JuhoKello on puoli kaksi.It is half past one.
- EmmaBussi on jo myöhässä.The bus is already late.
- JuhoKyllä, se on harmillista.Yes, it is a pity.
