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Questions & Answers about Þú ert hér.
Why is Þú used here instead of other pronouns?
Þú is the singular second-person pronoun in Icelandic, meaning you (singular). It addresses just one person. If you wanted to address multiple people, you would use þið.
What does ert mean and how do I conjugate the verb vera?
Ert is the second-person singular present tense form of the verb vera (to be). The conjugation of vera in the present tense goes like this:
• Ég er (I am)
• Þú ert (You are, singular)
• Hann/Hún/Það er (He/She/It is)
• Við erum (We are)
• Þið eruð (You are, plural)
• Þeir/Þær/Þau eru (They are)
Can hér mean both here in a location sense and also right now in a time sense?
No, hér generally refers to a physical location (meaning here). It does not carry a timing or temporal nuance like now. For a sense of now, you could use words like núna or nú.
Is there a difference in pronunciation between the letters ð and þ?
Yes. ð (called eð) is pronounced like the soft th in this, while þ (called thorn) is pronounced like the soft th in thing. In the word Þú, you use the þ sound.
Could I say Þú ert hérna instead of Þú ert hér?
Yes, hérna also means here, but it is a more colloquial or informal way of emphasizing proximity. Þú ert hér is perfectly correct and neutral, and Þú ert hérna sounds slightly more conversational.