How to Tell Time in Danish for English Speakers

Basics of Danish Time Telling

In Danish, telling time is quite straightforward but differs from English in terms of wording and structure. Understanding these differences will help you communicate effectively.

The 24-hour Clock

Danish generally uses the 24-hour clock. For instance, 15:00 in Danish would still be referred to as "15:00" often simply spoken as "femten."

Key Time Phrases in Danish

Using 'klokken' to Indicate Time

To express the time of day, Danish speakers use the word 'klokken', followed by the hour. For example, 'klokken tre' means three o'clock.

Minutes After the Hour

When telling time, minutes past the hour are expressed just as in English. For instance, 3:15 would be 'kvart over tre' (quarter past three).

Minutes to the Hour

Minutes until the next hour are phrased similarly, where 3:45 is expressed as 'kvart i fire' (quarter to four).

Understanding Expressions for Half-an-Hour

An interesting aspect of Danish time expressions is the use of the half hour. For example, 'halv fire' means 'half of four', which equates to 3:30.

• 2:30 - halv tre
• 5:30 - halv seks
• 7:30 - halv otte