Clock Times with Endings

Level 3

kell viis means at five, kella viieni until five, kella viiest from five and kella viieks by five.

How It Works

  • At: kell + nominative: Koosolek algab kell kaks.
  • Until (-ni): kella viieni – Mis kellani?
  • From (-st): kella viiest – Mis kellast?
  • By (-ks): kella viieks – Mis kellaks?
  • Around: kella viie paiku or kella viie ajal.

In a range, kella usually appears only once: kella kümnest kuueni. After alates use the elative too: alates kella viiest, not alates kell viis.

Half and quarter hours name the coming hour: pool kuus (5:30), veerand kuus (5:15), kolmveerand kuus (5:45). With an ending the whole phrase declines like a compound number: kella poole kuueni. Minutes past use läbi: kümme minutit kaks läbi (2:10).

In writing, the ending can go on digits: kella 20ni or kella 20-ni. For a range written in digits, use a dash instead: Pood on lahti 10–20.

Examples (6)

  1. Koosolek algab kell kaks.

    The meeting starts at two.

    Word by Word: meeting starts clock two

  2. Pood on lahti kella kümnest kuueni.

    The shop is open from ten to six.

    Word by Word: shop is open clock-GEN ten-from six-until

    kella is needed only once in a range.

  3. Tule kella viieks koju!

    Come home by five!

    Word by Word: come clock-GEN five-into home

  4. Tunnid algavad kell pool üheksa.

    Lessons start at half past eight.

    Word by Word: lessons start clock half nine

    pool üheksa names the coming hour.

  5. Ma olen kodus kella seitsme paiku.

    I will be home around seven.

    Word by Word: I am at-home clock-GEN seven-GEN around

  6. Mis kellani on raamatukogu lahti?

    Until what time is the library open?

    Word by Word: what clock-until is library open

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping kell in the nominative before an ending.

    Pood on lahti kell viieni.
    Pood on lahti kella viieni.

    When the number takes an ending, kell changes to the genitive kella.

  • Using kell + nominative after alates.

    Pood on lahti alates kell viis.
    Pood on lahti alates kella viiest.

    alates takes the elative, so the clock time needs kella and -st.

  • Using üle for minutes past.

    Kell on kümme minutit üle kahe.
    Kell on kümme minutit kaks läbi.

    Standard Estonian uses läbi for minutes past the hour. You may hear üle in casual speech, but the standard is läbi.

How It Connects

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Clock Times with EndingsLevel 3

Learn This First

Clock times take case endings.

Words in This Pattern

kell