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Kílómetramælirinn virkar.

Kílómetramælirinn virkar.
The odometer works.
From Lesson 84:Taking a car for its annual inspection·Hardcore Icelandic

Breakdown of Kílómetramælirinn virkar.

virka
to work
kílómetramælirinn
the odometer

Questions & Answers about Kílómetramælirinn virkar.

Does kílómetramælirinn mean speedometer or odometer?
Usually it means odometer or mileage counter. Literally, it is a kilometer-measuring device. For speedometer, Icelandic normally uses hraðamælir.
Why is kílómetramælirinn written as one word?
Because Icelandic forms compounds very easily. This word is built from kílómetra + mælir + -inn. English often uses separate words, but Icelandic commonly combines them into one noun.
What does the ending -inn mean?

It is the definite article, equivalent to English the. Icelandic usually adds the to the end of the noun instead of putting a separate word before it.

So:

  • kílómetramælir = odometer / kilometer counter
  • kílómetramælirinn = the odometer
Why is it kílómetra- and not kílómetri-?
In compounds, the first part of a noun often appears in a combining form rather than its basic dictionary form. Here, that form is kílómetra-. You do not need to translate that piece separately every time; it is simply the normal form used in this compound.
What does mælir mean by itself?

Mælir means meter, gauge, or counter. It is a very common word in compounds. For example:

  • hraðamælir = speedometer
  • hitamælir = thermometer

So kílómetramælir is literally something like a kilometer meter/counter.

What form is virkar?

Virkar is the present-tense, third-person singular form of the verb virka, which means to work, to function, or to operate.

Because kílómetramælirinn is a singular subject, Icelandic uses virkar.

Does virkar mean works or is working?

It can mean both. Icelandic present tense often covers both English works and is working.

So Kílómetramælirinn virkar can mean:

  • The odometer works
  • The odometer is working

The exact nuance depends on context.

What case is kílómetramælirinn in?

It is in the nominative case, because it is the subject of the sentence. This is a simple subject + verb sentence:

  • Kílómetramælirinn = subject
  • virkar = verb
Is the word order special here?

No. This is the normal, neutral word order for a basic statement: subject + verb.

So the sentence is very straightforward: Kílómetramælirinn virkar. = The odometer works.

How do you pronounce the sentence?

A rough learner-friendly pronunciation is:

KEE-loh-metra-MY-lir-inn VIR-kar

A few helpful points:

  • í is like ee
  • æ is roughly like the vowel in my
  • the stress is mainly at the start of each word: KÍlómetramælirinn VIRkar

It is only an approximation, but it is a good starting point.

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