Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Við bíðum ennþá fyrir framan húsið. - We are still waiting in front of the house.

Við here is the subject pronoun meaning we. There is also a preposition við (taking the accusative) meaning things like by/at/against/with, but in this sentence it’s the pronoun. Context and position (first word, acting as subject) make that clear.

Why is the verb in second position (Við bíðum …)?

Icelandic main clauses follow a verb‑second (V2) rule: the finite verb typically comes in the second slot. So we get Við bíðum …. If you front some other element for emphasis, the verb still stays second: Fyrir framan húsið bíðum við ennþá.

What does bíðum come from, and how is bíða conjugated?

The dictionary form is bíða (to wait). It’s a strong verb.

Present: ég bíð, þú bíður, hann/hún/það bíður, við bíðum, þið bíðið, þeir/þær/þau bíða
Past (preterite): ég beið, þú beiðst, hann/hún/það beið, við biðum, þið biðuð, þeir/þær/þau biðu
Past participle: beðið (e.g., ég hef beðið = I have waited) Note the difference bíðum (present) vs biðum (past): the present has í.

Could I say Við erum ennþá að bíða … instead? Is that more natural?

Yes. Við erum ennþá að bíða fyrir framan húsið is very natural and emphasizes ongoing action (like English “We are still waiting…”). The simple present Við bíðum … is also perfectly fine and commonly used for present/progressive meaning in Icelandic.

What does ennþá mean exactly? Can I use enn instead? Where does it go in the sentence?

ennþá = still, yet (in positive statements). Við bíðum ennþá … = We are still waiting …
enn also means “still/yet”; it’s a bit shorter and can sound slightly more formal or written. Both are fine: Við bíðum enn …
Placement: typically after the verb in main clauses: Við bíðum ennþá fyrir framan húsið. You can front it for emphasis: Ennþá bíðum við …, but that’s marked.
In negatives, “not yet” can be ekki enn or ekki ennþá.

Why do we say fyrir framan? Isn’t fyrir alone “in front of”?

fyrir framan is a fixed compound preposition meaning in front of (spatially) and it takes the accusative. Using fyrir alone doesn’t normally convey “in front of” by itself in modern usage. Similar patterns:

fyrir aftan = behind (acc.)
fyrir ofan = above (acc.)
fyrir neðan = below (acc.)
fyrir utan = outside (acc.)

Which case is húsið in, and why?

Accusative singular. fyrir framan governs the accusative. Since hús is a neuter noun, nominative and accusative look the same in the singular, but with the definite ending you see -ið: húsið.

Why is there a -ið on húsið? Where is “the”?

Icelandic marks definiteness with a suffix. hús = house; húsið = the house. There is no separate word for “the.” For reference:

Indefinite: nom/acc hús, dat húsi, gen húss
Definite: nom/acc húsið, dat húsinu, gen hússins

How would I say “in front of a house” instead of “the house”?

Use the indefinite form: fyrir framan hús.

Við bíðum fyrir framan hús = We are waiting in front of a house.

Could I start with the place for emphasis?

Yes, just keep V2:

Fyrir framan húsið bíðum við ennþá. This emphasizes the location. You could also say: Ennþá bíðum við fyrir framan húsið to emphasize “still.”

How do I say “We are still waiting for you in front of the house”? Do I need eftir with bíða?

To express “wait for [someone/something]” in everyday Icelandic, use bíða eftir + dative:

Við erum ennþá að bíða eftir þér fyrir framan húsið.
Or simple present: Við bíðum ennþá eftir þér fyrir framan húsið. Older/formal style can use a genitive object (e.g., bíða læknis), but bíða eftir
- dat. is the safe modern choice.

Is við húsið a valid way to say “in front of the house”?

við húsið means “by/at the house,” not specifically “in front of.” For “in front of,” use fyrir framan húsið. For “outside,” use fyrir utan húsið. For “opposite/across from,” use á móti húsinu.

What’s the difference between fyrir framan and frammi fyrir?

fyrir framan (+ acc.) = spatially in front of something (neutral physical positioning).
frammi fyrir (+ dat.) = in front of/facing, often with a nuance of being confronted by or standing before (commonly with people, doors, problems): e.g., Hann stóð frammi fyrir dyrunum (He stood in front of the doors), frammi fyrir vandamáli (facing a problem).

How do I pronounce þ and ð in this sentence?

þ is like English “th” in “think” (voiceless). ennþá has þ: [th].
ð is like English “th” in “this” (voiced). bíðum, húsið, fyrir all have ð or r-ð sequences where ð is voiced. Roughly:
- bíðum ≈ [BEE-thum]
- ennþá ≈ [EN-thau]
- húsið ≈ [HOO-sith] Primary stress is on the first syllable of Icelandic words.

If I drop ennþá, does the meaning change?

Yes. Við bíðum fyrir framan húsið just states “We are waiting in front of the house.” Adding ennþá adds the “still/yet” nuance: the waiting has continued up to now.