Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Ég á kött.

Ég is pronounced somewhat like yeh or yéh.
á is pronounced as ow (as in English cow).
kött is pronounced köht, with a short ö sound (similar to the u in hurt but formed further forward in the mouth) and a soft t at the end.

Why do we use á here instead of a direct equivalent to “have”?

In Icelandic, the verb eiga (conjugated as á in the present tense for the first-person singular) means “to own/possess.” It is the normal way to express ownership of an object or an animal. While Icelandic does have a verb hafa, it is more commonly used for having something metaphorically or temporarily, or as an auxiliary verb.

Where is the equivalent of “a” in “I have a cat”? Why isn’t it in the sentence?

Icelandic does not have an indefinite article like “a” or “an.” In Icelandic, you simply say Ég á kött to mean “I have a cat.” If you want to specify a definite cat, you would use the definite article suffix, for instance köttinn (the cat).

Is kött the same as köttur, and why is it spelled differently?

Yes, they refer to the same noun. Köttur is the nominative singular form meaning “cat.” In this sentence, it appears as kött because the cat is the direct object, so it’s in the accusative case. The difference is merely a case ending to reflect the object of the verb.

Can I use Ég á kött to talk about having multiple cats?

Not exactly in that form. For multiple cats, you need the plural form of the noun. For instance, you would say Ég á ketti if you have multiple cats. Ketti is the accusative plural form of köttur.

Are there any other ways to say “I have a cat” in Icelandic?

Although Ég á kött is the most common way, you might occasionally hear Ég er með kött (literally “I am with a cat”). This phrasing emphasizes temporary possession or accompaniment rather than ownership. However, for straightforward ownership, Ég á kött is preferred.