Kennslustundin byrjar klukkan átta.

to start

Breakdown of Kennslustundin byrjar klukkan átta.

• klukka: the clock
• kennslustundin: the lesson
• átta: eight

Questions & Answers about Kennslustundin byrjar klukkan átta.

Why does kennslustundin end with -in?

The suffix -in is the definite article in Icelandic. You attach it to the end of a feminine noun to make it “the ….” So:
• kennslustund = a lesson/class session
• kennslustundin = the lesson/class session

What is the grammatical role of kennslustundin in this sentence?

kennslustundin is the subject of the sentence. It’s in the nominative singular (subjects are in nominative) and means “(this) class session” or “the lesson.”

Why is the verb byrjar used, and what form is it?

byrjar is the 3rd person singular present tense of að byrja (“to begin/start”). Because the subject (kennslustundin) is 3rd person singular, we use byrjar: “(it) starts/begins.”

Why is there no preposition before klukkan átta, and what does klukkan mean here?

When stating an exact start time in Icelandic, you don’t need a preposition like at or um – you just say klukkan plus the numeral.
• klukka = “clock”
• klukkan = “the clock” (definite)• =