klocka
klocka in 30 Sekunden
- Klocka means both clock and watch in Swedish.
- It is an 'en' word: en klocka, klockan, klockor, klockorna.
- The definite form 'klockan' is used to ask 'What time is it?'.
- It originated from the word for 'bell'.
The Swedish word klocka is a fundamental noun that every learner encounters early in their journey. Primarily, it refers to a device used for measuring and showing time, encompassing both what English speakers call a 'clock' (on a wall or desk) and a 'watch' (worn on the wrist). In Swedish, the distinction between a wall clock and a wristwatch is often made through context or compound words, but klocka serves as the universal umbrella term. Beyond the physical object, klockan (the definite form) is used almost exclusively when asking for or stating the time of day, functioning similarly to the English 'o'clock' or simply 'the time'.
- Physical Object
- Refers to any timepiece, from a grandfather clock to a digital smartwatch. Example: 'Min klocka har stannat' (My watch/clock has stopped).
- Concept of Time
- Used to inquire about the current hour. Example: 'Vad är klockan?' (What time is it? / Literally: What is the clock?).
- Bell/Chime
- Historically, klocka also refers to a bell, such as a church bell (kyrkoklocka), which is where the time-keeping meaning originated.
Jag köpte en ny klocka igår för att jag alltid kom för sent till jobbet.
In a social context, Swedes are known for their punctuality. Therefore, the klocka is not just a tool but a cultural symbol of respect for others' time. If someone says 'vi ses klockan fem' (we'll see each other at five o'clock), it is expected that you are there at exactly 17:00. The word is ubiquitous in daily life, from checking your 'armbandsur' (wristwatch) during a meeting to hearing the 'väckarklocka' (alarm clock) in the morning. Interestingly, when talking about the time itself, Swedes use the definite form 'klockan' as a subject. For instance, 'Klockan är mycket' doesn't mean the clock is big, but rather 'It is late' or 'The time is advanced'.
Kan du ställa klockan på sju imorgon bitti?
- Etymological Root
- Derived from the Medieval Latin 'clocca', meaning bell. This is why church bells (kyrkoklockor) share the same name as your wristwatch.
When using the word in professional settings, you might hear 'tidtagarur' for a stopwatch or 'stämpelklocka' for a time clock used to log work hours. However, in the digital age, 'klockan' often refers to the time displayed on a smartphone. It is one of the most versatile nouns in the Swedish language because it bridges the gap between a physical object and the abstract concept of temporal measurement. Whether you are catching a train ('Tåget går klockan nio') or describing a beautiful antique ('Vilken vacker väggklocka!'), this word is your essential companion.
Min klocka går fem minuter före.
Using klocka correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender and how it changes in different contexts. As an 'en-word' (common gender), its forms are: en klocka (a clock), klockan (the clock), klockor (clocks), and klockorna (the clocks). The most frequent usage is the definite singular klockan, which acts as the default way to talk about 'the time'.
Hur mycket är klockan?
When describing the action of a clock, Swedes use specific verbs. If a clock is 'running' or 'working', we say it går (goes). If it is 'fast', it går före (goes before), and if it is 'slow', it går efter (goes after). Understanding these prepositional pairings is key to sounding natural. For example, 'Klockan går rätt' means the clock is showing the correct time.
- The Preposition 'Klockan'
- In many cases, 'klockan' acts almost like a preposition or a fixed marker before a number. 'Vi äter middag klockan sex' (We eat dinner at six). Note that you don't need 'på' or 'vid' in this specific structure, though 'vid klockan sex' can mean 'around six'.
Hon tittade på sin klocka och insåg att hon var sen.
Pluralization is also straightforward. When discussing a collection of timepieces, use klockor. 'Affären säljer dyra klockor' (The shop sells expensive watches). When modifying the noun with adjectives, remember the 'en-word' agreement: 'en gammal klocka' (an old clock), 'den gamla klockan' (the old clock). In compound words, klock- often appears as a prefix, such as in klockstapel (bell tower) or klockren (crystal clear, literally 'bell-pure').
Många gamla klockor i museet fungerar fortfarande.
Finally, consider the use of the word in idiomatic sentence structures. 'Att ställa klockan' is to set an alarm. 'Att dra upp klockan' is to wind a clock. These verbs describe the physical interaction with the device. In modern Swedish, you might also 'synka klockan' (sync the clock). Whether you are using it as a subject, object, or time marker, klocka is a flexible pillar of Swedish sentence construction.
In Sweden, you will hear the word klocka or its definite form klockan everywhere, from the bustling platforms of Stockholm Central to quiet family dinners in the suburbs. It is perhaps most frequently heard in the context of public transport. Announcements often state, 'Tåget mot Göteborg avgår klockan elva och trettio' (The train to Gothenburg departs at 11:30). In these environments, the word acts as a rhythmic anchor for the day's schedule.
Ursäkta, vet du vad klockan är?
In the workplace, the 'stämpelklocka' (time clock) might be mentioned, even if it's now a digital app. Colleagues will ask each other, 'Ska vi ta lunch klockan tolv?' (Shall we have lunch at twelve?). The word is also central to Swedish media. Radio hosts on P3 or P4 will frequently announce the time: 'Klockan slår precis ett' (The clock is just striking one). This auditory repetition reinforces the word's importance in the national consciousness.
- In Schools
- Teachers tell students, 'Lektionen börjar när klockan ringer' (The lesson starts when the bell rings). Here, it refers specifically to the school bell.
- In Stores
- When buying electronics or jewelry, you'll hear 'Vi har många olika klockor i lager' (We have many different watches in stock).
Socially, the word appears in phrases like 'runt klockan sju' (around seven o'clock) or 'vid klockan åtta' (at eight o'clock). If you are at a party and things are winding down, someone might say 'Klockan börjar bli mycket, jag måste gå' (It's getting late, I have to go). This use of 'klockan' as a proxy for the lateness of the hour is a very common idiomatic expression that learners should master.
Hörde du kyrkoklockan ringa?
Lastly, in the digital world, your 'smartklocka' (smartwatch) or the clock on your 'skärm' (screen) is always referred to as 'klockan'. If your computer time is wrong, you might say 'Klockan på datorn går fel'. From the most traditional church tower to the most advanced silicon chip, the word remains the same, providing a sense of linguistic continuity across Swedish history.
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is trying to translate 'time' directly as 'tid' when they actually mean 'klockan'. While 'What is the time?' is standard English, saying *Vad är tiden? in Swedish sounds very strange and usually incorrect in a daily context. The correct phrase is always 'Vad är klockan?'. Remember: klocka is for the position on the dial, tid is for the duration or the concept.
Fel: Jag har inte en tid (när man menar klocka). Rätt: Jag har ingen klocka på mig.
Another common pitfall involves the plural form. Some learners confuse klockor (clocks/watches) with klockan (the clock/time). If you want to say 'The clocks are beautiful', you must use the definite plural klockorna. Using the singular 'klockan' would imply you are talking about the current time of day, leading to confusion like 'The time is beautiful', which isn't what you meant.
- Confusion with 'Ur'
- Learners often see 'ur' in dictionaries and try to use it interchangeably. While 'ur' means clock/watch, it is mostly used in compounds (fickur, armbandsur) or in professional horology. In a restaurant or at home, stick to 'klocka'.
- Preposition Errors
- Saying *på klockan nio (at nine o'clock) is a direct translation from English. In Swedish, you just say 'klockan nio'. Adding 'på' is redundant and incorrect.
Gender confusion is also a factor. Since klocka is an 'en-word', saying *ett klocka or *klockat is a grammatical error. Always pair it with 'en' or the '-an' suffix. Furthermore, when describing the time being 'late', avoid saying 'klockan är sen'. The idiomatic Swedish way is 'klockan är mycket' (literally: the clock is much). Saying 'klockan är sen' might be understood, but it sounds like the physical device itself is running behind schedule.
Fel: Klockan är sen. Rätt: Klockan är mycket.
Lastly, learners often struggle with the distinction between 'klocka' (clock) and 'ringklocka' (doorbell). If someone says 'Det ringer på klockan', they mean the doorbell, not your wristwatch. Context is key, but usually, the simple word 'klocka' without a prefix refers to time-telling devices.
While klocka is the most common term, Swedish offers several synonyms and related words that provide more precision or a different register. Understanding these can elevate your Swedish from basic to advanced. The most direct technical synonym is ur. While you wouldn't ask 'vad är uret?', you will see this in shops or specialized contexts.
- Ur vs. Klocka
- Ur: Often used in formal writing or compounds like 'fickur' (pocket watch) or 'väggur' (wall clock). It sounds more precise and traditional.
Klocka: The everyday word for both the device and the time. - Tidmätare
- Literally 'time measurer'. This is a more scientific or technical term used when discussing the function of keeping time rather than the object itself.
- Kronometer
- A high-precision timepiece. You would use this word when talking about professional diving watches or marine navigation.
Det här gamla fickuret har gått i arv i generationer.
For specific types of clocks, Swedish uses descriptive prefixes. A väckarklocka is an alarm clock. An armbandsur is specifically a wristwatch (literally 'arm-band-watch'). A pendelur is a pendulum clock. If you want to describe the sound a clock makes, you use the verb ticka (to tick) or klämta (to toll/chime, usually for larger bells).
In a metaphorical sense, if something is very reliable, you can say it 'går som en klocka' (runs like a clock/watch). This is similar to the English 'runs like clockwork'. Another alternative when discussing time is tidpunkt (point in time), which is more specific than just saying 'klockan'. For example, 'Vid denna tidpunkt...' (At this point in time...). Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the right situation, making your Swedish more expressive and accurate.
Motorn går som en klocka efter servicen.
Beispiele nach Niveau
Vad är klockan?
What time is it?
Direct question using the definite form 'klockan'.
Klockan är fem.
It is five o'clock.
The subject 'Klockan' acts as 'It' in the English translation.
Jag har en klocka.
I have a watch.
Indefinite singular 'en klocka'.
Klockan är på väggen.
The clock is on the wall.
Definite singular 'klockan' referring to a specific object.
Tåget går klockan nio.
The train leaves at nine.
'Klockan' used as a time marker before a number.
Min klocka är ny.
My watch is new.
Possessive 'min' followed by the indefinite 'klocka'.
En klocka ringer.
A bell/clock is ringing.
Indefinite form used with the verb 'ringer'.
Klockan är mycket.
It is late.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'It is late'.
Jag köpte en vacker klocka igår.
I bought a beautiful watch yesterday.
Adjective 'vacker' modifying 'klocka'.
Min klocka går fem minuter efter.
My watch is five minutes slow.
The verb 'går' with the preposition 'efter' for a slow clock.
Ska vi ses klockan halv sju?
Shall we meet at half past six?
Swedish 'halv sju' means 6:30 (half to seven).
Hon har många klockor i sitt rum.
She has many clocks in her room.
Plural indefinite 'klockor'.
Väckarklockan ringer varje morgon.
The alarm clock rings every morning.
Compound word 'väckarklockan' in definite form.
Var är klockorna?
Where are the clocks?
Plural definite 'klockorna'.
Klockan på datorn är fel.
The clock on the computer is wrong.
Specific reference to a digital clock.
Han tittar på sin klocka ofta.
He looks at his watch often.
Possessive 'sin' referring back to the subject.
Klockan börjar bli mycket, vi borde gå hem.
It's getting late, we should go home.
Idiomatic use of 'klockan' to describe the passage of time.
Motorn går som en klocka.
The engine runs like clockwork.
Simile using 'en klocka' to mean reliability.
Kyrkoklockorna ringer för bröllopet.
The church bells are ringing for the wedding.
Compound word 'kyrkoklockorna'.
Han ställde klockan på tidig morgon.
He set the alarm for early morning.
Verb 'ställde' used for setting a time.
Är det dags att dra upp klockan?
Is it time to wind the clock?
Phrasal verb 'dra upp' for mechanical clocks.
Klockan slog precis tolv slag.
The clock just struck twelve times.
Verb 'slog' (struck) used for bells/clocks.
De synkroniserade sina klockor innan uppdraget.
They synchronized their watches before the mission.
Plural possessive 'sina klockor'.
Butiken säljer både ur och klockor.
The shop sells both timepieces and watches.
Using 'ur' and 'klockor' together for variety.
Hans svar var klockrent.
His answer was spot on / crystal clear.
Adjective 'klockrent' derived from 'klocka'.
Vi måste passa klockan för att inte missa bussen.
We must watch the clock to not miss the bus.
Expression 'passa klockan' meaning to be mindful of time.
Klockan klämtar för oss alla till slut.
The bell tolls for us all in the end.
Literary/idiomatic use of 'klockan klämtar'.
Det är en klocka med automatisk uppdragning.
It is a watch with automatic winding.
Technical description.
Klockan stannade precis när strömmen gick.
The clock stopped exactly when the power went out.
Verb 'stannade' for stopping.
Han samlar på antika klockor från 1800-talet.
He collects antique clocks from the 19th century.
Plural indefinite with adjectives.
Klockan är en viktig symbol i filmen.
The clock is an important symbol in the movie.
Abstract usage of the noun.
Det ringer på klockan, kan du öppna?
The doorbell is ringing, can you open (the door)?
Here 'klockan' refers to the doorbell.
Uret på väggen tickade obevekligt.
The timepiece on the wall ticked relentlessly.
Using 'uret' for a more formal/literary tone.
Hela projektet löpte på som en klocka.
The whole project ran like clockwork.
Metaphorical use in a professional context.
Klockstapeln dominerade stadens silhuett.
The bell tower dominated the city skyline.
Compound word 'klockstapeln'.
Det var ett klockrent exempel på dålig planering.
It was a perfect example of poor planning.
Figurative use of 'klockrent'.
Klockan slog dovt i den kalla morgonluften.
The clock struck dully in the cold morning air.
Descriptive literary sentence.
Han har en osviklig känsla för klockan.
He has an unerring sense of time.
Abstract use of 'klockan'.
Klockorna i katedralen är kända för sin klang.
The bells in the cathedral are famous for their sound.
Plural definite 'klockorna'.
Tidmätningens historia är nära kopplad till klockans utveckling.
The history of timekeeping is closely linked to the development of the clock.
Genitive form 'klockans'.
Tidens obevekliga gång manifesteras i klockans tickande.
The relentless passage of time is manifested in the ticking of the clock.
High-level abstract sentence.
Klockan som artefakt bär på djupa kulturella betydelser.
The clock as an artifact carries deep cultural meanings.
Academic register.
Att ställa klockan efter någon annan är en metafor för underordning.
To set one's clock by someone else is a metaphor for subordination.
Complex metaphorical structure.
Denna kronometer är ett mästerverk av horologisk ingenjörskonst.
This chronometer is a masterpiece of horological engineering.
Use of specialized vocabulary 'kronometer'.
Klockklangen ekade mellan bergsväggarna.
The sound of the bells echoed between the mountain walls.
Compound word 'klockklangen'.
Uret i tornet har sedan länge slutat fungera.
The timepiece in the tower has long since ceased to function.
Formal 'uret' used in a narrative context.
Klockans precision var avgörande för navigationen till sjöss.
The clock's precision was crucial for navigation at sea.
Historical/technical context.
Vi lever i en tid där klockan styr varje vaken minut.
We live in a time where the clock governs every waking minute.
Sociological commentary.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— Between one and two o'clock.
Jag är upptagen mellan klockan ett och två.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— To function perfectly and reliably.
Samarbetet i gruppen går som en klocka.
informal/neutral— Someone's time is up or they are in trouble.
Nu klämtar klockan för den gamla regeringen.
formal/literary— To keep up with the time/schedule.
Det är svårt att hänga med klockan idag.
informalSummary
The word 'klocka' is the universal term for any time-telling device and the time itself. Remember that 'Vad är klockan?' is the only natural way to ask for the time, and avoid using 'tid' in this context.
- Klocka means both clock and watch in Swedish.
- It is an 'en' word: en klocka, klockan, klockor, klockorna.
- The definite form 'klockan' is used to ask 'What time is it?'.
- It originated from the word for 'bell'.
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adress
A2The location where a person lives or works.
aldrig
A1never
alla
A1all, everyone
allt
A2everything
alltid
A1always
anmäla
B1to report or register for something
anmälning
B2the act of notifying or registering
annan
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anordna
B2Einen Event oder eine Veranstaltung organisieren oder vorbereiten.
anstränga
B1to make an effort or strain oneself