Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Takk fyrir hjálpina, annars bíðum við lengur. - Thank you for the help; otherwise we wait longer.

Annars means otherwise/else and acts as a sentence connector. Icelandic main clauses are verb‑second (V2): whatever you put first (here, annars) is followed by the finite verb, then the subject. Hence annars bíðum við. Without annars, you’d say Við bíðum lengur.

Is bíðum present tense? Does it mean will wait or would wait?

Yes—bíðum is present indicative (we wait). Icelandic often uses the present for near‑future, so here it naturally reads as we’ll wait. If you want an explicit conditional would, use myndum: annars myndum við bíða lengur. For a past hypothetical: annars hefðum við beðið lengur.

Why is hjálpina definite? Could I say hjálp or hjálpina þína?

With thanks, Icelandic usually uses a definite noun for a specific, context‑known act: hjálpina = the help (you gave). Takk fyrir hjálpina is the most idiomatic. Takk fyrir hjálp is possible but sounds less natural. Adding a possessive (hjálpina þína) is grammatical but often redundant unless you want emphasis.

What case is hjálpina in, and why?

Accusative singular (feminine) with the definite ending -ina. The preposition fyrir governs the accusative in this meaning (thanks for X). Base forms: nominative hjálp, nominative definite hjálpin, accusative definite hjálpina.

Could I say Takk fyrir að hjálpa instead? Any nuance difference?

Yes. Takk fyrir að hjálpa (thanks for helping) focuses on the action. Takk fyrir hjálpina treats it as a specific instance of help. Both are natural. You can also say Takk fyrir aðstoðina (assistance), slightly more formal.

Why lengur and not lengra?

lengur is the comparative adverb of lengi (for a long time) → longer in time: bíða lengur (wait longer).
lengra is the comparative of the adjective langur (long) and for distance/length or predicate adjectives: leiðin er lengri/lengra (the route is longer/farther).

Does annars require a comma? How is this punctuated?

When annars links two independent clauses, a comma (or semicolon) before it is normal: …, annars …. If you start a new sentence, capitalize the next word: Annars bíðum við lengur. Inside the clause it still triggers V2.

How do you conjugate bíða?

Present: ég bíð, þú bíður, hann/hún/það bíður, við bíðum, þið bíðið, þeir/þær/þau bíða.
Past: ég beið, þú beiðst, hann beið, við biðum, þið biðuð, þeir biðu.
Supine/past participle: beðið.

Can bíða take an object (wait for someone/something)?

Yes.

Traditional: bíða
- genitive: bíða þín (wait for you).
Very common: bíða eftir
- dative: bíða eftir þér.
Intransitive is also fine: bíða lengi (wait a long time).

Why not use munum (will), as in Við munum bíða lengur?

You can. munum + infinitive is a neutral, explicit future. But Icelandic often uses the simple present for future plans or consequences, especially with context cues like annars. Annars bíðum við lengur sounds natural and concise.

Is Takk fyrir complete by itself, or must I add a noun/verb?

Takk fyrir can stand alone in conversation (Thanks for that). Adding a complement clarifies: Takk fyrir hjálpina, Takk fyrir að hjálpa, Takk fyrir mig (thanks for having me/hosting).

Any quick pronunciation tips for hjálpina, annars, bíðum?

hjálpina: initial hj is a voiceless palatal (like German ich); á ≈ the vowel in English cow; lp devoices the l. Roughly: HYAWL‑pi‑na.
annars: stress on the first syllable: AHN‑nars.
bíðum: long í like tense ee; ð is the voiced th in this: BEE‑thum. (These are approximations.)

Could I replace annars with something else?

Yes: ef ekki (if not) or að öðrum kosti (otherwise, more formal). Example: Takk fyrir hjálpina, ef ekki myndum við bíða lengur. Still, annars is the most idiomatic and concise.

If I remove annars, does the word order change?

Yes. Without a fronted element, the subject comes first: Við bíðum lengur. With annars (or any fronted adverbial), V2 inversion gives Annars bíðum við lengur.