Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Þó að hún sé sein, bíðum við rólega.

Because þó að (and its variant þótt) normally triggers the subjunctive in Icelandic. Sé is the present subjunctive of vera (to be), while er is the indicative. After concessive conjunctions like þó að/þótt, the subjunctive is standard: Þó að hún sé sein. Using er here sounds non‑standard.

Could I use væri instead of sé?

Yes, but it changes the nuance. Sé (present subjunctive) is used for a real or current situation. Væri (past subjunctive) makes it more hypothetical or less factual, often matching English “even if she were late.” For example: Þótt hún væri sein, myndum við bíða rólega (“Even if she were late, we would wait calmly.”).

Is bíðum við a question? Why does the verb come before við?

It’s not a question. Icelandic main clauses are verb‑second (V2). When you front something (here, a whole subordinate clause: Þó að hún sé sein), the finite verb must still be in second position overall, so you get … , bíðum við … (verb first, then subject). The punctuation and intonation show it’s a statement, not a question.

Do I need the comma after the subordinate clause?

Yes. When a subordinate clause comes first, Icelandic writing norm uses a comma to separate it: Þó að hún sé sein, bíðum við rólega. If the subordinate clause comes after the main clause, a comma is often not used: Við bíðum rólega þó að hún sé sein.

What’s the difference between þó að, þótt, and þó on its own? Can I add þá?

Þó að and þótt both mean “although/even though.” Þótt is a very common single‑word alternative to þó að.
Many speakers also say þó without að: Þó hún sé sein…
You can optionally add þá in the main clause for emphasis: Þó að hún sé sein, þá bíðum við rólega. It’s not required.

Why is it sein here? What would seinn or seint mean?

Sein agrees with hún (feminine singular). Predicate adjectives agree with the subject:

Masculine: hann er seinn
Feminine: hún er sein
Neuter/impersonal or adverbial sense “late (in the day)”: það er seint So seinn is masculine, sein is feminine, and seint is neuter or adverbial.

What exactly is bíðum?

It’s the 1st person plural present (both indicative and, in form, subjunctive) of bíða “to wait.” Present indicative:

ég bíð
þú bíður
hann/hún/það bíður
við bíðum
þið bíðið
þeir/þær/þau bíða

Is the sentence an imperative like “Let’s wait”?

No; with við present, it’s a statement. To make a clear “let’s” imperative you can use:

The hortative form on its own: Bíðum rólega!
Or: Við skulum bíða rólega.

Can bíða take an object? How do I say “wait for her/the bus”?

Yes. Two patterns exist:

Genitive object (more formal/literary): bíða hennar, bíða strætisvagns
Prepositional phrase with eftir
- dative (very common): bíða eftir henni, bíða eftir strætisvagninum

What does rólega mean exactly, and why the -lega ending?

Rólega is the adverb “calmly/quietly,” formed from the adjective rólegur by adding -lega (a common way to make adverbs from adjectives). Depending on context, rólega can suggest calmly, quietly, or even patiently.

Could I say rólegir instead of rólega?

That changes the structure:

bíðum við rólega = adverb modifying the verb “wait” (we wait calmly).
bíðum við rólegir = predicate adjective agreeing with við (we are calm as we wait). For a group of men/mixed: rólegir; women only: rólegar; neuter collectives: róleg.

Can I drop að and just say Þó hún sé sein?

Yes. Þó (að) hún sé sein and Þótt hún sé sein are all acceptable.

If the subject were plural, what would change?

The verb and (if used) the adjective would agree:

Þó að þau séu sein, bíðum við rólega.
Masculine group: þeir séu seinir; feminine group: þær séu seinar; neuter/mixed: þau séu sein.

Is við required? Can I say … bíðum rólega without it?

Keep við. Icelandic isn’t a pro‑drop language. Omitting við would likely be read as a hortative/imperative (Bíðum rólega!) rather than a plain statement.

How do I pronounce the special letters here?

Þ/þ = voiceless “th” as in “thin” (in Þó).
ð = voiced “th” as in “this” (in að, bíðum).
ó = long “oh.”
é = roughly “yeh” (a y‑glide plus short e).
í = long “ee.” These are approximations, but they’ll get you close.

Can I put the concessive clause at the end instead?

Yes: Við bíðum rólega, þó að hún sé sein (often without the comma before þó að in modern style). When the main clause comes first, normal subject‑verb order is Við bíðum … (still V2).