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Questions & Answers about Rannsóknin er góð.
What does rannsóknin mean and why does it end in -in?
Rannsóknin means “the research.” Icelandic has no separate word for the; instead you attach a definite suffix to the noun. For feminine nouns in the nominative singular, that suffix is -in. The indefinite (bare) form is rannsókn (“research”).
How do I know that rannsóknin is feminine?
There are two clues:
• The noun ends in -un, a common pattern for feminine nouns.
• The definite suffix -in is specifically for feminine nominative singular.
Masculine would be -inn and neuter -ið.
Why is the adjective góð and not góður or gott?
Icelandic adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. The strong declension of góður is:
• Masculine nom. sg.: góður
• Feminine nom. sg.: góð
• Neuter nom. sg.: gott
Since rannsóknin is feminine nominative singular, its matching adjective form is góð.
How would I say “a research is good”—don’t I need an indefinite article?
Icelandic has no separate indefinite article like or . You simply use the bare noun. So would be The lack of a suffix marks it as indefinite.