Ég þvæ hnífinn eftir kvöldmat.

I

Breakdown of Ég þvæ hnífinn eftir kvöldmat.

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

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

Which case does eftir govern in “eftir kvöldmat,” and why?

Here eftir (“after”) indicates time and governs the accusative case. Hence kvöldmat is the accusative singular of kvöldmatur (“dinner”).

Why is there no article before kvöldmat?

As a general time expression (“after dinner”) Icelandic uses the indefinite case with no article. If you wanted “after that (specific) dinner,” you’d say eftir kvöldmatinn.

Is it necessary to include the subject Ég in Icelandic?

Icelandic verbs carry strong person/number endings, so you can omit ég if context is clear: • Þvæ hnífinn eftir kvöldmat.
However, including Ég adds clarity or emphasis.

How would you say “I washed the knife after dinner” in the past tense?

Use the past form þvoði: Ég þvoði hnífinn eftir kvöldmat.