Takkinn á útvarpinu er bilaður.

to be

Breakdown of Takkinn á útvarpinu er bilaður.

• á: on
• útvarpið: the radio
• takkinn: the button

Questions & Answers about Takkinn á útvarpinu er bilaður.

Why does takkinn end with -inn?

In Icelandic the definite article is suffixed to the noun. takki means “a knob/button,” and adding -inn (“the”) gives takkinn, “the knob/button.”

What case is útvarpinu and why is it used here?

útvarpinu is the dative singular of útvarp (radio). The preposition á when expressing a location (on something) governs the dative case, so “on the radio” becomes á útvarpinu.

Why not útvarpið instead of útvarpinu?

útvarpið is the nominative or accusative singular definite form. Since á here indicates a static position (“on”), grammar rules require the dative, not the nominative/accusative.

What does bilaður represent in this sentence?

bilaður is the past participle of the verb bila (“to break down”) used as an adjective meaning “broken.” It describes the state of takkinn.

Why is the verb er used instead of simply using bila?

Because is functioning as an adjective, we need a linking verb. (“to be”) in present tense is , so means “the knob … is broken.”