Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Það er mjög gaman.

In Icelandic, Það often acts as an impersonal subject (sometimes called a 'dummy pronoun') when there isn’t a more specific subject to mention. So saying Það er, meaning It is, helps form a complete sentence structure in Icelandic.

What is the function of mjög here?

Mjög is an adverb that intensifies the meaning of the word following it, similar to very in English. In this sentence, it emphasizes how enjoyable something is.

Is gaman an adjective or a noun?

Gaman is technically a neuter noun in Icelandic meaning fun, but in the expression Það er gaman, it functions much like an adjective describing the overall feeling or situation.

Can I place mjög anywhere else in the sentence?

Typically, mjög appears right before the word it intensifies (in this case, gaman). You wouldn’t say Það er gaman mjög. The adverb needs to come before gaman for the sentence to sound natural in Icelandic.

Can I replace gaman with a different word, like skemmtilegt?

Yes, you could say Það er mjög skemmtilegt, which is another way of expressing that something is very entertaining. The meaning is similar, but skemmtilegt is an adjective, whereas gaman is typically treated as a noun despite functioning like an adjective in this expression.