Questions & Answers about Þó að hún sé sein, bíðum við rólega.
Why is it sé and not er after þó að?
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?