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Questions & Answers about Skápurinn er hvítur.
What does skápurinn mean, and how is the definite article shown in Icelandic?
Skápurinn means “the cupboard” (or wardrobe). In Icelandic the definite article is not a separate word but is suffixed directly to the noun. Here skápur (cupboard) + -inn (masculine nominative definite singular ending) = skápurinn.
What is er, and what is its infinitive form?
Er is the 3rd person singular present tense of the verb vera, which means “to be.” So skápurinn er literally means “the cupboard is.”
Why is the adjective hvítur used instead of a “definite” form like hvíturinn?
When an adjective follows a copular verb such as er, it remains in the indefinite strong form, even if the noun is definite. Therefore hvítur stays in the masculine nominative singular strong form rather than taking a definite ending.
What grammatical case and number are skápurinn and hvítur in?
Both are in the nominative singular. Skápurinn is the subject, and hvítur is a predicative adjective agreeing with it in gender (masculine), number (singular), and case (nominative).
How would you say “A white cupboard” in Icelandic?
You use attributive position (adjective before noun) in the indefinite forms: hvítur skápur. Here hvítur (masculine nominative singular) modifies skápur.
How would you express “The cupboards are white”?
Switch everything to plural:
• skáparnir (definite plural of skápur)
• eru (3rd person plural present of vera)
• hvítir (masculine plural strong form of hvítur)
Result: Skáparnir eru hvítir.
How is hvítur pronounced?
In IPA approximately [ˈkʰviː. tʏr]. The hv- is a voiceless labiovelar fricative (like a “wh” in some English dialects). í is a long [iː], and the u is [ʏ], similar to the German ü.
Why does hvítur have an acute accent on í?
The acute accent in Icelandic marks vowel length and quality. í always represents a long i-sound, distinguishing it from a short i.
Could you say “Hvítur er skápurinn” instead for emphasis?
Icelandic main clauses typically follow V2 word order (the finite verb in second position). You can front hvítur for stylistic or poetic emphasis—Hvítur er skápurinn—but in everyday speech the neutral order is Skápurinn er hvítur.