Eignatjónið var mikið.

The property damage was considerable.

Breakdown of Eignatjónið var mikið.

• vera: to be
• mikill: large
• eignatjónið: the property damage

Questions & Answers about Eignatjónið var mikið.

What does the -ið at the end of eignatjónið mean?

The -ið is the definite article, attached to the end of the noun.

So:

• eignatjón = property damage
• eignatjónið = the property damage

This is very common in Icelandic. Instead of putting a separate word like the before the noun, Icelandic often adds the article to the noun itself.

A few similar examples:

• hús = house

• húsið = the house

• barn = child
• barnið = the child

So in Eignatjónið var mikið, the subject is specifically the property damage.

Why is the adjective mikið and not mikill or mikil?

Because mikið has to agree with eignatjónið in gender, number, and here also the basic predicate form.

The noun eignatjón is:

• neuter
• singular

So the adjective must also be neuter singular:

• mikill = masculine
• mikil = feminine
• mikið = neuter

That is why the sentence says:

• Eignatjónið var mikið.

This kind of agreement is a core feature of Icelandic grammar.

Why is it var?