Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Icelandic grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Við förum upp á þriðju hæð.
Why is the phrase upp á used here? Can't I just say á þriðju hæð or í þriðju hæð?
In Icelandic upp á describes upward movement onto something (“up to” or “onto”). You could say Við förum á þriðju hæð, but adding upp makes the motion clearer (“we go up to the third floor”). You wouldn’t use í with hæð because hæð (a floor level) is treated as a surface—motions onto surfaces normally take á.
Why is þriðju used instead of þriðja?
Þriðju is the accusative feminine singular form of the ordinal þriðji (“third”). Here þriðju hæð is the object of the preposition á indicating movement, so both the noun hæð and the adjective þriðju must take the accusative case. The nominative would be þriðja hæð, but that isn’t used after á for motion.
What case is þriðju hæð in, and why?
It’s accusative because prepositions like á take the accusative case when expressing motion toward a place. Since you’re “going up onto the third floor,” it’s directional and triggers the accusative.
Why is there no definite article like hæðina after þriðju?
In Icelandic, ordinal numbers are inherently definite, so you don’t add the definite ending -in (or -ina) to the noun. Saying þriðju hæðina would be redundant.
How do you pronounce the letters ð in förum and þ in þriðju?
The letter ð is voiced, like the “th” in English this. The letter þ is unvoiced, like the “th” in thing.
What does förum represent in this sentence?
Förum is the first person plural present indicative of að fara (“to go”), so it means “we go.” It matches the subject við (“we”).
Why is the subject pronoun við used instead of okkum?
Við is the nominative pronoun for “we” (the subject). Okkum is the dative pronoun (“to/for us”) and cannot function as the subject.
Could you say Við förum upp á hæð þrjú or change the word order?
No. In Icelandic, ordinal numbers come before the noun and must agree in gender, number, and case. So þriðju hæð (not hæð þrjú) is the only correct order here.
What’s the difference between hæð and gólf in Icelandic?
Hæð refers to a building level or storey (“floor” as in first floor, second floor, etc.). Gólf means the actual floor surface or ground you stand on.
Can you drop upp and just say Við förum á þriðju hæð?
Yes, it’s grammatically correct and understandable. However, upp á is more idiomatic when you want to stress the upward movement.