vad är klockan?
To ask "what time is it?" in Swedish, use vad är klockan?
This phrase is the standard way to ask for the current time of day.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "what is the clock?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the word klockan, which is the definite singular form of klocka (clock). Using this definite form is required for this standard expression.
Did you know?
- In Swedish, the word klocka can also mean 'bell', meaning that asking vad är klockan? is linguistically tied to the ringing of town bells.
- Swedish uses a unique system for telling time where they often say 'half' to mean thirty minutes before the next hour, such as halv fem for 4:30.
- The word vad in some contexts relates to the Proto-Indo-European root for 'to wade', sharing a distant history with the English word 'wade'.
Examples in context
- Klockan är tre.It is three o'clock.
- Ursäkta, vad är klockan?Excuse me, what time is it?
Example conversation
Oscar and Maja are waiting for a bus at a station.
- OscarMaja, vad är klockan?Maja, what time is it?
- MajaDen är precis halv fem.It is exactly half past four.
- OscarTack så mycket.Thank you very much.
- MajaInga problem.No problem.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vad, är, CC BY-SA 4.0.
