…
Questions & Answers about Hann fer ekki núna.
Why is the negative word ekki placed after the verb fer in Hann fer ekki núna?
In Icelandic, word order in a simple statement usually follows a Subject–Verb–Object/Complement structure. When forming a negative sentence, ekki normally follows immediately after the conjugated verb. That’s why we say Hann fer ekki rather than Hann ekki fer.
Is núna always placed at the end of the sentence?
The adverb núna (meaning now) often appears at the end of a sentence, but it can sometimes move around for emphasis. However, in typical, neutral word order, you’ll see Hann fer ekki núna or Hann fer núna ekki, but the second version places extra stress on the timing (now, rather than the negation). The most natural, neutral form is usually at the end.
What tense is fer in?
Fer is the present tense of the verb að fara (meaning to go). In Icelandic, að fara has the irregular present tense forms:
• ég fer
• þú ferð
• hann/hún/það fer
How do I pronounce Hann fer ekki núna?
Roughly, you can think of it like:
• Hann – "ha(n)" (the 'nn' can sound like a short 'n' with a slight nasal quality)
• fer – "fehr" (the 'r' is lightly rolled)
• ekki – "eh-ki" (the 'kk' is a hard, unvoiced sound)
• núna – "noo-nah" (the 'ú' is like "oo" in "mood")
Is there a difference between Hann fer ekki núna and Hann kemur ekki núna?
Yes. Hann fer ekki núna means He is not going now, while Hann kemur ekki núna means He is not coming now. Að fara and að koma are opposite actions (to go vs. to come).
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Icelandic grammar?”
Icelandic grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning IcelandicMaster Icelandic — from Hann fer ekki núna to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions