Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Leikurinn byrjar klukkan átta í kvöld.

The suffix -inn is the definite article in Icelandic. leikur means “a game,” while leikurinn means “the game.” In Icelandic, definiteness is shown by adding the article as a suffix rather than using a separate word like “the.”

What does byrjar mean and could I use another verb like hefst?

byrjar is the 3rd person singular present of byrja, meaning “starts” or “begins.” You can indeed say Leikurinn hefst klukkan átta í kvöld—hefst (from hefja sig) also means “begins,” but it’s a bit more formal and often used for scheduled events or ceremonies.

Why do we say klukkan átta to mean “at eight o’clock”?

When telling exact time in Icelandic, you use the noun klukka in its definite accusative singular form klukkan, followed by the hour. So klukkan átta literally means “the clock eight” = “at eight o’clock.” This whole phrase functions as a time adverbial in the accusative case.

Does klukkan átta imply exactly eight, or could it be around eight?

klukkan átta means exactly eight o’clock. If you want to say “around eight,” you drop klukkan and use um átta instead—um + number indicates approximation.

Why is it í kvöld and not um kvöldið?

í kvöld (“in evening”) is the standard way to say “tonight” (this specific upcoming evening). In contrast, um kvöldið or á kvöldinu means “in the evening” in a general or habitual sense (“in the evenings” or “during the evening period”), not “tonight.”

Could I abbreviate klukkan átta or use numeric time like 20:00?

Yes. In writing it’s common to shorten klukkan as kl. and use digits: kl. 8. You can also use the 24-hour format 20:00. In speech you’d typically still say klukkan átta (or even just átta if context is clear).

Can the time phrase klukkan átta í kvöld move around in the sentence?

Icelandic word order is fairly flexible. All of these are correct and natural:

Leikurinn byrjar klukkan átta í kvöld. (neutral)
Í kvöld klukkan átta byrjar leikurinn.
Klukkan átta í kvöld byrjar leikurinn.

Why is kvöld not inflected after í (why not í kvöldi)?

As a neuter noun, kvöld has the accusative form identical to its nominative (kvöld). The dative is kvöldi, but time expressions like í kvöld, í morgun, and í gær take the accusative after í when indicating “this evening/morning/yesterday.” Thus í kvöld is correct for “tonight.”