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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 a or an. You simply use the bare noun. So “a research is good” would be Rannsókn er góð. The lack of a suffix marks it as indefinite.
What is the verb er in Rannsóknin er góð?
Er is the 3rd person singular present of vera (“to be”), equivalent to English is.
What is the dictionary (lemma) form of rannsóknin?
The lemma is rannsókn, the indefinite nominative singular. In dictionaries you always look up rannsókn, not the suffixed form.
How do I pronounce Rannsóknin er góð?
Approximate IPA: [ˈranːsˌkʰoun̥tɪn ɛr koːð]
• Stress on the first syllable: RANNS-
• nn is a long [nː]
• ö in góð is [oː] (like English “go” but longer)
• ð in góð is a voiced dental fricative (like the th in “this”)