Ég þakka þér.

I thank you.

Breakdown of Ég þakka þér.

• ég: I
• þér: you
• þakka: to thank

Questions & Answers about Ég þakka þér.

What does each word mean in Ég þakka þér?

• Ég = I (nominative singular)
• þakka = thank (1st person singular present of the verb þakka)
• þér = you (dative singular; the form of þú used after verbs that govern the dative)

Why is þér in the dative case?

Because the verb þakka governs the dative for the person you are thanking. The basic pattern is: þakka e-m e-ð = “thank someone (dative) for something (accusative).”
Examples:

• Ég þakka þér. = I thank you.
• Ég þakka þér hjálpina. = I thank you for the help.
• Ég þakka þér fyrir hjálpina. = I thank you for the help. (using the preposition fyrir
  • accusative)

Can I say Ég þakka þig?

No. þig is accusative, but þakka requires the person to be in the dative: þér (singular) or ykkur (plural).

How do I thank more than one person?

Use the dative plural of “you”: ykkur.

• Ég þakka ykkur. = I thank you (all).
• With a thing: Ég þakka ykkur blómin. = I thank you for the flowers.

Is formal? What’s more common in everyday speech?