Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Húsið er stórt.

In Icelandic, nouns can appear in an indefinite or definite form. For neuter nouns like hús (meaning house), adding -ið creates the definite form and translates as the house instead of just a house.

Why does stórt end with -t?

Icelandic adjectives agree with the gender, number, and case of the nouns they modify. Since hús is a neuter noun in the nominative case, the adjective uses the neuter ending -t, resulting in stórt.

How is Húsið er stórt pronounced?

• Húsið: The ú is pronounced like the long oo in English moon, and ið is pronounced with a short ih sound, somewhat like the i in bit, but slightly more forward.
• er: Pronounced like air in English.
• stórt: The ó sounds like a long o (similar to go), while the rt is pronounced as a single consonant cluster, with a slight roll on the r.

What is the gender of the word hús?

Hús is a neuter noun in Icelandic. This affects how adjectives and articles agree, which is why you see stórt (neuter form) and ið (neuter definite article).

Do I always have to add -ið after hús?

Not always. If you want to use house in the indefinite form, you'd just say hús. You add -ið when you want to specify the house.