A1 Collocation Neutral

Aika kuluu

Time passes

Significado

The progression of time.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Finns often use 'aika kuluu' with a heavy sigh (huoh) to express a sense of 'resigned realism' about aging or the end of summer. In the sauna, time is said to 'pysähtyä' (stop), which is the ultimate contrast to 'aika kuluu'. Being in a place where time *doesn't* wear out is a spiritual experience for Finns. Because time is seen as something that 'wears out', wasting someone else's time by being late is seen as stealing a non-renewable resource. In Finnish social media, #aikakuluu is often used for 'Then vs Now' photos, similar to #tbt (Throwback Thursday).

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The 'Sigh' Factor

If you want to sound truly Finnish, add a small 'no jaa' or a sigh before saying 'aika kuluu'. It adds that perfect touch of Nordic melancholy.

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Duration vs. Passage

Never use 'kuluu' to answer the question 'How long?'. Use 'kestää' for that.

Significado

The progression of time.

🎯

The 'Sigh' Factor

If you want to sound truly Finnish, add a small 'no jaa' or a sigh before saying 'aika kuluu'. It adds that perfect touch of Nordic melancholy.

⚠️

Duration vs. Passage

Never use 'kuluu' to answer the question 'How long?'. Use 'kestää' for that.

💬

Small Talk Savior

If a conversation dies, just look at your watch and say 'Aika kuluu'. It's a socially acceptable way to either restart the talk or make an exit.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the missing verb in the correct form (present tense).

Lomalla aika ______ nopeasti.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: kuluu

'Aika kuluu' is the standard phrase for time passing.

Which sentence is correct?

How do you say 'Time passed slowly'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Aika kului hitaasti.

'Kului' is the past tense of 'kulua'.

Match the Finnish phrase with its English meaning.

Match the following:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Aika kuluu siivillä -> Time flies, Aika kuluu hitaasti -> Time passes slowly, Aika kuluu hukkaan -> Time is wasted, Aika kuluu rattoisasti -> Time passes pleasantly

These are common adverbial additions to the base phrase.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Oletko jo valmis? B: En, ________ kuluu niin nopeasti, etten ehdi!

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: aika

'Aika' is the most natural subject here.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Kulua vs. Kestää

Kulua (Passage)
Aika kuluu nopeasti Time passes fast
Kestää (Duration)
Se kestää tunnin It lasts an hour

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form (present tense). Fill Blank A1

Lomalla aika ______ nopeasti.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: kuluu

'Aika kuluu' is the standard phrase for time passing.

Which sentence is correct? Choose A2

How do you say 'Time passed slowly'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Aika kului hitaasti.

'Kului' is the past tense of 'kulua'.

Match the Finnish phrase with its English meaning. Match B1

Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Aika kuluu siivillä -> Time flies, Aika kuluu hitaasti -> Time passes slowly, Aika kuluu hukkaan -> Time is wasted, Aika kuluu rattoisasti -> Time passes pleasantly

These are common adverbial additions to the base phrase.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

A: Oletko jo valmis? B: En, ________ kuluu niin nopeasti, etten ehdi!

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: aika

'Aika' is the most natural subject here.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, it means 'Time runs'. It's similar to 'Aika rientää' (Time flies) but slightly more informal.

Yes, it's completely neutral and can be used with anyone, from your boss to your child.

'Kuluu' is intransitive (time passes by itself). 'Kuluttaa' is transitive (you spend/consume time or money).

Yes! 'Rahaa kuluu' means 'Money is being spent/used up'.

The most common way is 'Aika rientää' or 'Aika kuluu siivillä'.

It's a way of acknowledging how much time has passed since they last saw the child, usually with a bit of shock.

Both! 'Aika kuluu' is 'Time passes'. 'Aikaa kuluu' (partitive) is used when saying *how much* time passes, e.g., 'Siihen kuluu paljon aikaa'.

Yes, e.g., 'Aika kuluu, ja meidän täytyy saada vastaus pian.'

It can be, but usually it's just a very practical observation.

There isn't a direct single-word opposite, but you could say 'Aika pysähtyy' (Time stops).

Frases relacionadas

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Aika rientää

similar

Time flies/hurries

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Tappaa aikaa

related

To kill time

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Ajan myötä

builds on

Over time / with the passage of time

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Aika on rahaa

related

Time is money

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Odottaa aikaa

contrast

To wait for a time

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