Ljósið er sterkt.

The light is strong.

Breakdown of Ljósið er sterkt.

• vera: to be
• sterkur: strong
• ljósið: the light

Questions & Answers about Ljósið er sterkt.

Why does ljósið end with -ið?

In Icelandic the definite article (the word the) is not a separate word but a suffix attached to the noun. For neuter nouns in the nominative singular, that suffix is -ið. So ljós (“light”) becomes ljósið (“the light”).

What is the base (indefinite) form of ljósið?

The base or indefinite nominative singular form is ljós. Without the suffix it simply means “light” or “a light.”

Why is the adjective sterkt ending in -t instead of -ur (as in sterkur)?

Adjectives in Icelandic agree in gender, number and case with the noun they describe. Here ljós is a neuter noun in the nominative singular, so its predicate adjective also takes the neuter nominative singular ending -t: sterk- → sterkt.

The noun is definite (ljósið). Shouldn’t the adjective show a “weak” form?

Predicative adjectives (those that follow a verb like vera “to be”) use a simplified pattern: for neuter nominative singular they always end in -t, regardless of the noun’s definiteness. Weak vs. strong declension applies only when adjectives modify nouns directly (attributive use).

Which verb is er, and why is it used here?

Er is the third-person singular present tense of vera (“to be”). In this sentence it links the subject ljósið (“the light”) with the predicate adjective sterkt (“strong”).

How would you say “A light is strong” (in the general, indefinite sense)?

You would drop the definite suffix and say Ljós er sterkt. Here ljós is in its indefinite form, and sterkt remains unchanged in neuter nominative singular.

How do you pronounce Ljósið er sterkt.?

A rough phonetic guide (using English sounds):
• Ljósið – “LYOH-sith” (the jó is like English “yo” in “yoke,” the ð sounds like the “th” in “this”)
• er – like English “air” but shorter
• sterkt – “STAIRKT” (roll the “r” lightly; the “kt” cluster at the end is crisp)

How can I tell that ljós is a neuter noun?

Several clues:

1. The definite article suffix is -ið (feminine would be -in, masculine -inn).
2. When you inflect adjectives with it, you use neuter endings (like sterkt here).
3. Many Icelandic dictionaries list ljós as neuter (marked h.n. for “hvorugkyn,” i.e. neuter).