Question 1

Why is mér in the dative case here?

Accepted Answer

The verb koma (“to come”) when used in the idiom „koma e-m á óvart“ (“to surprise someone”) requires a dative object for the person experiencing the surprise. So mér is the dative form of ég (“I”), meaning “to me.”

Question 2

What is the literal, word-for-word translation of „Þetta svar kemur mér á óvart“?

Accepted Answer

Literally it reads:  
“This answer comes to me on surprise.”  
In smoother English: “This answer comes as a surprise to me.”

Question 3

Why do we say á óvart instead of just óvart?

Accepted Answer

„á óvart“ is a set prepositional phrase.  
- á is a preposition governing the dative (hence á + óvart).  
- óvart here functions as a noun/adverbial element meaning “unexpectedness” or “surprise.”  
Without á, you’d lose the idiomatic “to surprise” sense.

Question 4

Can I replace „Þetta svar“ with „Svarið“?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  
- „Þetta svar“ = “this answer” (demonstrative + indefinite “answer”).  
- „Svarið“ = “the answer” (definite).  
Both are grammatically correct; you’ll only change nuance (demo­strative vs. definite).

Question 5

Can I change the word order to emphasize a different element?

Accepted Answer

Definitely. Icelandic main clauses follow a V2 (verb-second) rule. You could say:  
“Mér kemur þetta svar á óvart.”  
Here the focus shifts slightly onto the answer rather than “to me.”

Question 6

What part of speech is komur, and why is it in the present tense?

Accepted Answer

komur is the 3rd person singular present indicative of koma (“to come”). We use present tense in Icelandic for “this surprises me” just like in English present simple: “This answer surprises me.”

Question 7

How do I pronounce „Þetta svar kemur mér á óvart“?

Accepted Answer

Approximate pronunciation (anglicized):  
THET-tah svahr KEH-mur myehr ow OH-vart  
Key points:  
• Þ = “th” in “think”  
• e in -etta = short “e” as in “bet”  
• á = long “ow” as in “cow”  
• é = “yeh” as in “yes” but lengthened

Question 8

Are there other ways to say “I am surprised” in Icelandic?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Some alternatives:  
• Ég er hissa – “I am surprised/amazed” (literally “I am surprised”).  
• Ég undrast það – “I wonder” / “I am surprised by that.” (uses undrast, “to be astonished,” with accusative).  
• Mér finnst það undarlegt – “I find that strange.”

Þetta svar kemur mér á óvart.

Breakdown of Þetta svar kemur mér á óvart.

Questions & Answers about Þetta svar kemur mér á óvart.

More from this lesson

Master Icelandic — from Þetta svar kemur mér á óvart to fluency