halv

Halv is a word found in several Germanic languages, most notably Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, where it generally means “half.” It functions as an adjective and numeral and appears in compounds to designate a half-unit of time, quantity, or measure.

In time-telling, halv is used in Danish and Norwegian to indicate thirty minutes before the next hour. Common forms include phrases such as halv fem, meaning four-thirty. In other contexts, halv precedes a noun to express half of a quantity, for example halv liter (half a liter) or halv kilo (half a kilogram). Usage can vary by region and language, and speakers may adjust spelling or form to agree with the noun or the clock-based expression.

Etymologically, halv is cognate with English half, German halb, Dutch half, and Swedish halv. These words share a common Proto-Germanic origin and retain the same basic meaning of “one part of two equal halves.”

Beyond its ordinary meaning, halv can function as a productive prefix in some Germanic languages, conveying partiality or semi-ness in compounds such as halvautomatisk (semi-automatic) or halvvegs, illustrating its role in forming descriptive terms.

See also: Half, Halb, Halva.