Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Það er hlýtt hér.

Það here is an expletive or dummy subject, just like English “it” in “it’s warm.” It does not refer to anything concrete. Icelandic syntax requires an explicit subject in such statements, so you cannot drop Það in a declarative sentence.

What verb is er, and what does it translate to?

er is the third-person singular present indicative of vera (“to be”). In this sentence, er simply means is.

Why is the adjective hlýtt standing alone without a noun, and why does it end in -tt?

Here hlýtt is a predicative adjective linked to the dummy subject Það by er. Predicative adjectives in Icelandic do not attach to a noun but agree with the subject in gender, number, and case. Since Það is grammatically neuter singular nominative, hlýrt (strong form) becomes hlýtt.

What role does hér play in the sentence?

hér is an adverb meaning here. It indicates location and typically comes after the adjective in Icelandic, but it can move for emphasis.

Can I change the word order, for example to Hér er hlýtt or Hlýtt er hér?

Yes, Icelandic follows the V2 (verb-second) rule. If you front hér, you get Hér er hlýtt (“Here it is warm”), which is perfectly natural. Starting with the adjective—Hlýtt er hér—is also grammatically allowed but less common and feels more poetic or emphatic.

How do you pronounce the special letters in Það er hlýtt hér?

Þ (thorn) as in English th in thing ([θ]).
ð (eth) as in English th in this ([ð]).
ý is a long i-sound ([iː]), so hlýtt is pronounced roughly hleeht with a long vowel.

What’s the difference between hlýtt and heitt?

hlýtt = warm, a comfortable or mild temperature.
heitt = hot, implying a higher temperature, often intense or too warm for comfort.