Samtalið tekur nokkrar mínútur.

The conversation takes a few minutes.

Breakdown of Samtalið tekur nokkrar mínútur.

• taka: to take
• samtalið: the conversation
• nokkur: a few
• mínúta: the minute

Questions & Answers about Samtalið tekur nokkrar mínútur.

What does the ending in Samtalið mean?

The ending -ið is the suffixed definite article for a neuter noun in the nominative/accusative singular. The base noun is samtal (a conversation, neuter). So:

• samtal = conversation (indefinite)
• samtalið = the conversation (definite)

Because it’s the subject of the sentence, it’s nominative.

What form is the verb tekur, and from which verb?

Tekur is 3rd person singular present indicative of taka (to take). Mini-paradigm:

• Present: ég tek, þú tekur, hann/hún/það tekur, við tökum, þið takið, þeir/þær/þau taka
• Past (3sg): hann tók
• Past participle: tekið

Why is mínútur in that form?

Mínúta is a feminine noun. Here it’s plural and functions as the direct object (the thing “taken”), so it’s accusative plural: mínútur.

• Singular: nom mínúta, acc mínútu
• Plural: nom/acc mínútur, dat mínútum, gen mínútna

Why is it nokkrar and not something like nokkur or nokkra?

Nokkrar is the feminine plural nominative/accusative form of the quantifier nokkur (some/a few). It must agree with mínútur in gender, number, and case, so you get nokkrar mínútur (feminine, plural, accusative). Forms you might see:

• Masc pl: nokkrir (nom), nokkra (acc)
• Fem pl: nokkrar (nom/acc)
• Neut pl: nokkur (nom/acc)

Could I just say “It takes a few minutes” in Icelandic?

Yes: Það tekur nokkrar mínútur. If you want to add what takes that time, use an infinitive clause: Það tekur nokkrar mínútur að klára samtalið.

Is there a difference between using taka and saying “lasts” in Icelandic?

• With taka: you treat the duration as an object of time: Samtalið tekur nokkrar mínútur.
• To say “lasts (for) …”: use a verb like standa (yfir) with í + accusative: Samtalið stendur (yfir) í nokkrar mínútur.

Can I add a preposition like í to this sentence?

Not with taka here. You wouldn’t say “tekur í nokkrar mínútur.” Use í + acc with verbs like vera/standa (yfir) to express duration: Samtalið stóð í nokkrar mínútur.

What’s the nuance difference between nokkrar and fáar?

• nokkrar mínútur = a few/several minutes (neutral/positive: enough to be noticeable)
• fáar mínútur = few minutes (negative: not many, fewer than expected)

How would I say “The conversation took a few minutes” (past) and “will take” (future)?

• Past: Samtalið tók nokkrar mínútur.
• Future: Samtalið mun taka nokkrar mínútur.

How do I ask “How long does the conversation take?”

Two common ways:

• Hversu lengi tekur samtalið?
• Hve langan tíma tekur samtalið? (here, langan tíma is masculine accusative singular)

How do I ask “How many minutes does it take?”

Hve margar mínútur tekur það?
Use margar (feminine plural) to agree with mínútur.

Any quick pronunciation tips for this sentence?

• Stress the first syllable of each word: SAM-ta-lið TÉ-kur NOK-kra(r)s MÍ-nú-tur.
• ð in samtalið is like a soft “th” in “this.”
• í is like a long “ee,” ú like long “oo.”
• Double consonants (kk, rr) make the preceding vowel short; the consonants are pronounced clearly.