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Questions & Answers about Verslunin er tóm núna.
Why is there no separate word for the in verslunin?
In Icelandic the definite article is attached to the end of the noun as a suffix. You take the noun verslun (shop) and add -in to get verslunin (the shop). The exact ending depends on the noun’s gender and case.
What gender is verslun, and how do I know?
verslun is a feminine noun. Many Icelandic feminine nouns end in -un, but there are exceptions, so it’s best to check a dictionary. The noun’s gender affects agreement with adjectives and the form of the definite article.
What part of speech is er, and what does it do here?
er is the 3rd person singular present tense of the verb að vera (to be). It works as a copula linking the subject verslunin (the shop) with the predicate adjective tóm (empty).
Why is the adjective tóm used instead of tómt or tómur?
Adjectives in Icelandic agree in gender, number and case with the noun they describe. tómur is the base (masculine) form. For a feminine noun in nominative singular, you use tóm. For a neuter noun you would use tómt.
What is núna, and can I use nú instead?
núna means now and is more common in everyday speech. nú also means now but sounds more formal or literary. In spoken Icelandic you’ll almost always hear núna.
Can I place núna somewhere else in the sentence?
Yes. You could say Verslunin er núna tóm, but the most natural word order is Verslunin er tóm núna. Changing the position of núna shifts the emphasis slightly but not the basic meaning.
How do I turn this into a yes/no question?
Invert the verb and subject: Er verslunin tóm núna? (Is the shop empty now?) You can add ekki for a negative nuance: Er verslunin ekki tóm núna? (Isn’t the shop empty now?)
Can tóm be used in other contexts?
Absolutely. tóm describes anything empty or vacant. For example:
- Dósin er tóm (the can is empty)
- Herbergið er tóm (the room is empty)
Remember to adjust the adjective ending for gender and number (e.g. tómt for neuter nouns).
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