Ekki líkja eftir mér.

not

Breakdown of Ekki líkja eftir mér.

• eftir: after
• mér: me
• líkja: to imitate; liken

Questions & Answers about Ekki líkja eftir mér.

What does each word in Ekki líkja eftir mér do?

• Ekki = not / don’t
• líkja = to imitate / to copy in this expression
• eftir = after
• mér = me in the dative case

So although the literal pieces look a bit like not imitate after me, the natural meaning is Don’t imitate me.

Why does Icelandic use ekki + líkja here instead of a special word for don’t?

In Icelandic, negative commands are very often made with:

ekki + infinitive

So:

• Ekki fara! = Don’t go!
• Ekki snerta! = Don’t touch!
• Ekki líkja eftir mér! = Don’t imitate me!

This is a very common pattern, and it is one of the first imperative patterns learners meet.

Why is líkja in the infinitive?