klukka

Klukka is the Icelandic word for a clock, a device used to measure and display time. In common usage it refers to wall clocks and mantel clocks, and can also denote smaller timepieces such as desk clocks or alarm clocks. The term is widely used across everyday Icelandic, in both informal speech and formal writing.

Etymology and cognates: Klukka belongs to the North Germanic family of words for timekeeping. The word has cognates in Norwegian klokke and Danish klokke, reflecting shared linguistic heritage among Scandinavian languages. The Icelandic form has developed independently within modern Icelandic and is the standard term in contemporary usage.

Types and technology: Clocks called klukka come in analog and digital varieties. Analog clocks display hours and minutes with hands and can be mechanical, battery-powered, or electric. Digital clocks show numeric time and may include features such as alarms and date displays. Clocks are used in homes, workplaces, and public spaces to regulate daily activities and schedules.

Cultural and linguistic notes: In Icelandic, klukka is a core noun in timekeeping. The definite form klukkan means "the clock" as in phrases like "Hvað er klukkan?" (What time is it?). The term participates in common time-related expressions and is a standard reference in discussions of timekeeping within the Icelandic language.