Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Icelandic grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Snjórinn er hvítur.
What does the suffix -inn in snjórinn indicate?
It’s the definite article, meaning the snow. In Icelandic, definiteness is shown by adding a suffix to the noun instead of using a separate word. For masculine nouns in the nominative singular, the suffix is -inn.
What is the gender of snjór and how can I recognize it?
Snjór is masculine. Many Icelandic nouns ending in a consonant are masculine, but you usually learn each noun’s gender individually. Here, the form snjórinn (with -inn) also tells you it’s masculine nominative singular definite.
Why is the adjective hvítur ending in -ur?
Hvítur is in the strong (indefinite) declension for masculine nominative singular. Predicative adjectives—those linked to the subject by a copula like er—always use the strong form, regardless of the noun’s definiteness.
Why doesn’t hvítur change to a weak (definite) form even though snjórinn is definite?
Adjectives used predicatively (after er) do not reflect definiteness. They remain in the strong declension. Only attributive adjectives (those placed directly before a definite noun) take the weak declension when the noun is definite.
Can I say snjór er hvítur instead of snjórinn er hvítur?
Yes. Snjór er hvítur means “snow is white” in a general or indefinite sense. Since snjór is often a mass noun, omitting the article expresses a general truth: “Snow is white.”
How do you pronounce snjórinn er hvítur?
IPA transcription: /ˈsnjouːrɪn ɛr ˈkʰviːtʏr/.
- Stress on the first syllable of each word.
- í is a long /iː/ sound.
- j is /j/, r is a rolled [r].
Why is er placed between snjórinn and hvítur?
Icelandic follows the V2 (verb-second) rule in main clauses: the finite verb must be the second element. With snjórinn as the first element (the subject), er naturally comes next, followed by the predicate hvítur.
How would I say “the white snow” as an attributive phrase?
Use the weak form of the adjective before the noun: hvíti snjórinn. Here hvíti is the weak nominative masculine singular form of hvítur, agreeing with the definite noun snjórinn.