kaçta and ne zaman: what time and when in Turkish

The idea

Saat kaçta? asks for a clock time: Tren saat kaçta kalkıyor? Ne zaman? asks when and can be answered with a day, date, period or clock time depending on context. The expressions overlap when a clock time answers a broad question.

Examples

• Tren saat kaçta kalkıyor?What time does the train depart?
• Toplantı kaçta başlıyor?What time does the meeting start?
• Ders saat üçte başlıyor.The lesson starts at three o’clock.
• Sınav ne zaman?When is the exam?
• Ne zaman taşındınız?When did you move?
• Ne zaman görüşelim?When shall we meet?

Watch out

Do not assume ne zaman cannot be answered with a clock time. It is broader; kaçta specifically targets the time on a clock.

Try it yourself

1. Which question specifically asks for a clock time? (kaçta / ne zaman)

   Show answer or example answer

   kaçta

   kaçta: this question targets a clock time.

2. Which broader question can ask for a date or a time? (kaçta / ne zaman)

   Show answer or example answer

   ne zaman

   ne zaman: this broader question may ask for a day, date, period or clock time.

3. Which ending forms kaçta from kaç in this question word? (-ta / -dan)

   Show answer or example answer

   -ta

   -ta: the locative ending attaches to kaç as -ta after the voiceless consonant.

Use it today

Ask when an exam is, then ask what time a train departs; give an appropriate answer to each.