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Questions & Answers about Vinsamlegast opnaðu hurðina.
What does the word vinsamlegast actually mean, and how is it used?
It literally means most kindly and functions as a polite please. It’s common in signs, notices, emails, and formal or neutral requests. In everyday conversation, people often prefer softer question-style requests (see below), but vinsamlegast is perfectly correct and polite.
Does vinsamlegast + imperative sound bossy in speech?
It can sound somewhat firm or “official.” It’s polite, but it’s still a command. To soften it in speech, many speakers use a question with a modal verb:
- Viltu opna hurðina? (Would you open the door?)
- Geturðu opnað hurðina? (Can you open the door?)
- Gætirðu opnað hurðina? (Could you open the door?—softer)
- Væri mögulegt að opna hurðina? (Would it be possible to open the door?—very soft/formal)
Where can vinsamlegast go in the sentence?
It’s flexible:
- At the start: Vinsamlegast opnaðu hurðina. (very common in writing)
- After the verb: Opnaðu vinsamlegast hurðina.
- At the end (often with a comma): Opnaðu hurðina, vinsamlegast. All are acceptable; initial position is the most typical in notices and formal requests.
Why does opnaðu end in -ðu? What is that?
It’s the imperative plus an enclitic form of the pronoun þú (you, singular). Historically: opna þú → opnaðu. The same happens with many verbs:
- far þú → farðu (go!)
- koma þú → komdu (come!)
- gera þú → gerðu (do!) So opnaðu means open (you)!, addressing one person.
How do I say it to more than one person?
Use the plural imperative: Vinsamlegast opnið hurðina. (Please open the door, you all.) You can also add þið (you plural) for emphasis: Opnið þið hurðina, vinsamlegast.
Can I drop -ðu and just say Opna hurðina!?
Yes, the bare verb can function as an imperative, and you’ll see it in instructions or on signs. In direct speech to one person, opnaðu sounds more natural.
How do I pronounce the sentence? Any tips for tricky sounds?
- Stress is on the first syllable of each word: VIN-sam-…, OP-na-…, HUR-…
- ð is like the th in English this (voiced dental). In opnaðu and hurðina it’s pronounced.
- r is tapped/trilled.
- The u in hurðina and the -u ending in opnaðu sound like the vowel in English put.
- Rough guide: VINS-am-leh-gast OP-na-thu HUR-thi-na (th = as in this).
Why does hurðina end with -ina?
Icelandic attaches the definite article to the end of the noun. Hurð is door. With the definite article and accusative case (as a direct object), it becomes hurðina = the door.
- Feminine definite endings often look like: -in (nom.), -ina (acc.), -inni (dat.), -innar (gen.).
What case is hurðina, and why?
Accusative singular. Opna (to open) takes its direct object in the accusative, so hurð (door) → hurðina (the door, acc. sg. def.).
But when I say Close the door, I’ve seen hurðinni. Why?
Different verb, different case. Loka (to close) governs the dative:
- Lokaðu hurðinni. (Close the door. — dative singular definite) So:
- Opnaðu hurðina. (open + accusative)
- Lokaðu hurðinni. (close + dative)
What is the gender of hurð, and what are its most useful definite forms?
Hurð is feminine.
- Nominative: hurðin (the door)
- Accusative: hurðina (the door — our sentence)
- Dative: hurðinni (to/at the door)
- Genitive: hurðarinnar (of the door) Indefinite (no “the”): hurð.
Is there a separate word for the in Icelandic?
Normally no. Definiteness is shown by a suffix on the noun (and the adjective, if present). With adjectives, the adjective uses the weak form:
- Vinsamlegast opnaðu rauða hurðina. (Please open the red door.)
How would I include an adjective like big?
Use the weak form of the adjective before a definite noun:
- Vinsamlegast opnaðu stóra hurðina. (Please open the big door.) Contrast with closing (dative): Lokaðu stóru hurðinni.
Is vinsamlega also possible, or must it be vinsamlegast?
Both vinsamlegast and vinsamlega are used to mean please. Vinsamlegast feels a bit more formal or set-phrase-like (very common on signs and in official writing). Vinsamlega is also polite and fine in emails and speech.
What’s the difference between þú and þið here?
- þú = you (one person). Imperative: opnaðu.
- þið = you (plural). Imperative: opnið. So: Vinsamlegast opnaðu hurðina. (to one person) vs. Vinsamlegast opnið hurðina. (to several people)
Any notes on punctuation and capitalization?
- Capitalize the first word: Vinsamlegast …
- A period is fine; an exclamation mark adds urgency.
- A comma is often used if vinsamlegast comes last: Opnaðu hurðina, vinsamlegast.
How would I say Please open the window?
Vinsamlegast opnaðu gluggann.
- gluggi (window) is masculine; definite accusative singular is gluggann. For plural you’d use: Vinsamlegast opnið gluggann. (to more than one person)
Could I switch the order to Opnaðu hurðina vinsamlegast?
Yes. It’s acceptable and natural, especially in speech. Fronting vinsamlegast is very common in written requests, but placing it after the verb or at the end is fine.
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