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Questions & Answers about Kennslustundin hefst núna.
What does the suffix -in in kennslustundin indicate?
-in is the definite‐article suffix for feminine nouns in the singular nominative (and accusative). So kennslustund means teaching session or lesson, and kennslustundin means the teaching session or the lesson.
How is kennslustundin built, and what do its parts mean?
It’s a compound of kennsla (teaching) + stund (session or hour). Together they literally form “teaching session,” i.e. lesson.
What type of verb is hefst, and why is it used here?
hefst is the 3rd person singular present of hefjast, a mediopassive (deponent) verb meaning “to begin” or “get underway.” It’s used when something starts on its own rather than being actively started by someone.
Can I use byrjar instead of hefst, and what difference would that make?
Yes. kennslustundin byrjar núna is also correct. byrja is the common active verb “to start,” while hefjast sounds a bit more formal or emphasizes the process of beginning.
Why does núna come at the end of the sentence? Could it appear elsewhere?
Icelandic main clauses follow a V2 rule: the finite verb must be in second position. Here the subject (kennslustundin) is first, hefst is second, so núna naturally follows. You could put núna first, but then the verb still stays second: Núna hefst kennslustundin.
What’s the difference between núna and nú?
Both mean now. núna is more colloquial and common in everyday speech, whereas nú is shorter and can sound more formal or poetic.
What case and gender is kennslustundin, and how can I tell?
It’s a feminine noun in the nominative case (the subject). You can tell from the definite‐article ending -in, which is the marker for singular feminine nouns in nominative/accusative.
Where does the stress fall in kennslustundin, and how is it pronounced?
Stress always falls on the first syllable in Icelandic. Pronounced roughly KENN-slu-stun-din, with a long /n/ in the first syllable.