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Questions & Answers about Okkur vantar vatn.
What does each word in the sentence mean?
- Okkur = us (1st person plural, accusative/dative form of við “we”)
- vantar = is lacking / needs (3rd person singular present of vanta)
- vatn = water (neuter singular; nominative and accusative look the same)
Why is it okkur and not við?
Because vanta is used impersonally in this meaning. The “experiencer” (the one who lacks/needs) is put in an object case, not nominative. So you cannot say Við vantar vatn. Correct is Okkur vantar vatn. If you want a normal nominative subject, use a different verb: Við þurfum vatn (“We need water”).
Which case is okkur here—accusative or dative?
In standard grammar with vanta, the experiencer is accusative. With 1st plural, that form happens to be identical to dative (okkur), so you can’t see the difference. With other persons you can: standard is Mig vantar vatn, Þig vantar vatn, Hana vantar vatn, etc. You will hear some speakers say dative (e.g., Mér vantar), but the accusative (e.g., Mig vantar) is the recommended form in careful usage.
Why is the verb form vantar (3rd person singular) even though the meaning is “we need”?