Ég þvæ hnífinn eftir kvöldmat.

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Breakdown of Ég þvæ hnífinn eftir kvöldmat.

• kvöldmat: the dinner
• eftir: after
• þvo: to wash

Questions & Answers about Ég þvæ hnífinn eftir kvöldmat.

What is the infinitive of þvæ?

The infinitive is að þvo (to wash). In Icelandic dictionaries all verbs are listed with að plus the verb stem.

Why does the present tense stem of að þvo change from “o” to “æ”?

This is an irregular strong verb undergoing a vowel shift (ablaut) in the present tense. The pattern is:

• infinitive: þvo
• 1 sg. present: þvæ
• 2 sg. present: þværð
• 3 sg. present: þvær

Why is the noun hnífinn in the definite form?

When referring to a specific object (“the knife” you want to wash), Icelandic marks definiteness by adding a suffix instead of a separate article. So hnífur (knife) becomes hnífinn (the knife) in the definite singular accusative.

How do you form the definite accusative singular of hnífur?

For a masculine noun ending in -ur:

1. Drop -ur: hnífur → hníf
2. Add -inn: hníf
   • -inn = hnífinn