Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Netið virkar ekki án rafmagns. - The internet does not work without electricity.

net is the indefinite form (‘a net’), while netið is the definite singular form (‘the internet’). In Icelandic, unique or already known entities (like the Internet) take the definite article as a suffix. net is a neuter noun, so the definite singular ends in -ið.

What does virkar mean here? Is it related to virkur?

virka is a verb meaning ‘to function’ or ‘to work’. The form virkar is the present tense, third person singular: ‘it works/it functions’. The adjective virkur means ‘active’ and is unrelated to this verb form.

Why is ekki placed after virkar instead of before it?

In Icelandic, the negation ekki usually follows the finite verb due to verb-second (V2) word order. So you say virkar ekki (‘does not work’) rather than ekki virkar.

Why do we say án rafmagns? Why is rafmagns in the genitive case?

The preposition án (‘without’) governs the genitive case in Icelandic. Therefore, rafmagn (‘electricity’) becomes rafmagns in genitive singular. That yields án rafmagns = ‘without electricity’.

Could we say netið virkar ekki á rafmagni instead of án rafmagns?

No. á rafmagni would use the dative case with á (‘on’), giving a meaning like ‘on electricity’, which doesn’t express ‘without electricity’. To say ‘without electricity’, you must use án + genitive.

Can we drop netið and just say virkar ekki án rafmagns?

You could in a very colloquial or highly contextual situation, but Icelandic normally requires an explicit subject. Omitting netið would feel elliptical and might cause confusion.

Is it possible to rearrange the word order, for example, putting án rafmagns before the verb?

Standard word order is Subject – Verb – Adverb – Prepositional phrase. You can front án rafmagns for emphasis:
Án rafmagns virkar netið ekki.
But this is more poetic or emphatic and less common in everyday speech.

Why don’t we use the verb fara (‘to go’) and say netið fer ekki án rafmagns?

fara means ‘to go’ or ‘to leave’. Saying netið fer ekki would mean ‘the internet doesn’t go/leave’. To express ‘doesn’t work’, Icelandic uses virka (‘to function’), not fara.