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Questions & Answers about Stóllinn er hlýr.
What does the suffix -inn in stóllinn signify?
The suffix -inn is the definite article for masculine nouns in the nominative singular.
- stóll = “chair” (indefinite)
- stóllinn = “the chair” (definite)
Why is stóllinn in the nominative case?
In Icelandic, the subject of a sentence takes the nominative case. Since stóllinn (“the chair”) is the subject here, it appears in the nominative singular masculine.
How can I tell that stóll is a masculine noun?
You know stóll is masculine because:
- Dictionaries list its gender as masculine.
- It takes the masculine definite article -inn.
- Many two-syllable nouns ending in a consonant follow the strong masculine declension pattern.
Why is the adjective hlýr not hlýur or hlýrri?
- hlýr is the positive (basic) form: “warm.”
- hlýrri would be the comparative: “warmer.”
- hlýur is not a valid form.
Here, hlýr agrees in gender, number, and case (nominative singular masculine) with stóllinn and is in its strong form because it’s used predicatively (after er).
Why doesn’t the adjective hlýr take a weak ending after the definite noun?
Icelandic adjectives have two sets of endings:
- Attributive (before a noun) after a definite noun → weak form (e.g., hlýi stóllinn = “the warm chair”).
- Predicative (after a verb like er) → always strong form.
Since hlýr follows er, it remains strong: er hlýr.
What function does er serve in this sentence?
er is the 3rd person singular present of vera (“to be”). It links the subject stóllinn with the predicate adjective hlýr, forming “The chair is warm.”
Is the word order in Stóllinn er hlýr fixed?
Icelandic is a V2 language: the finite verb must be in the second position. Here it’s Subject–Verb–Predicate, but if you front an adverb or object, er still stays second, and the subject shifts position.
How do I ask “Is the chair warm?” in Icelandic?
You keep the same word order and use rising intonation:
Er stóllinn hlýr?
No inversion is needed beyond the intonation change.
How would I say “a warm chair” attributively?
- Indefinite: hlýr stóll (“a warm chair”)
- Definite: hlýi stóllinn (“the warm chair”)
(Here the adjective takes the weak ending -i when attributive and definite.)
How are the letters ó and ý pronounced in stóllinn er hlýr?
- ó = long close-mid back rounded [oː], like English “o” in “go” but longer.
- ý = long close front unrounded [iː], like English “ee” in “see,” but held slightly longer.
How do I express this sentence in the past tense?
Replace er with var (past of vera):
Stóllinn var hlýr. = “The chair was warm.”