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Questions & Answers about Ég geymi kvittunina í veskinu.
What does the ending on the word kvittunina tell me?
It’s the definite accusative singular of a feminine noun.
- Stem: kvittun (receipt)
- Definite article: -in- (the)
- Accusative singular ending: -a So kvittunina means “the receipt” as a direct object. Related forms you’ll see: kvittunin (nominative, “the receipt” as subject), kvittuninni (dative), kvittunarinnar (genitive).
Why is kvittunina in the accusative?
Because it’s the direct object of the transitive verb geyma (to keep/store). In Icelandic, direct objects of many verbs are in the accusative. The indefinite object would be just kvittun (no separate word for “a”).
Why is it í veskinu and not something else?
The preposition í (“in, into”) takes:
- Dative for location (static): í veskinu = in the wallet (dative singular definite)
- Accusative for motion into: í veskið = into the wallet (accusative singular definite) Here, it’s a location, so dative is used.
What is the word veskinu made up of?
- Lemma: veski (neuter, “wallet/purse”)
- Definite article + dative singular ending: -inu So: veski → veskinu (dative singular definite). Other common forms: veskið (nom/acc definite), veski (nom/acc/dat indefinite).
Do I need both nouns to be definite here?
It’s natural here because you’re talking about a specific, known receipt and a specific wallet. Indefinite versions would be: kvittun (a receipt) and í veski (in a wallet). Icelandic has no separate word for “a”; indefiniteness is shown by the absence of the suffixed article.
How is the verb geyma conjugated in the present tense?
- ég geymi
- þú geymir
- hann/hún/það geymir
- við geymum
- þið geymið
- þeir/þær/þau geyma Past: ég geymdi; Supine: geymt.
Why is it ég geymi and not ég geyma?
First person singular present typically ends in -i. So: ég geymi, but þú/hann/hún/það geymir, við geymum, þið geymið, þau geyma.
If I mean I am currently putting the receipt into the wallet, how would I say that?
Use a verb of placement with the accusative after í (motion): Ég er að setja kvittunina í veskið. Using ég er að geyma is unusual here because geyma describes keeping/storing rather than the act of putting it in.
Can I reorder the parts of the sentence?
Yes, with verb-second word order:
- Neutral: Ég geymi kvittunina í veskinu.
- Emphasis on location: Í veskinu geymi ég kvittunina. Avoid placing the prepositional phrase between verb and object unless you want a marked/focused order; Ég geymi í veskinu kvittunina sounds odd in neutral contexts.
How do I negate this?
- Neutral negation: Ég geymi ekki kvittunina í veskinu.
- To negate the location specifically: Ég geymi kvittunina ekki í veskinu (…but somewhere else). The particle ekki usually follows the finite verb.
How do I turn it into a question?
- Yes/no: Geymir þú kvittunina í veskinu? (colloquial contraction: Geymirðu kvittunina í veskinu?)
- Wh-question: Hvar geymir þú kvittunina?
What are the genders of kvittun and veski, and why does that matter?
- kvittun is feminine; the matching object pronoun is hana (her/it). Example: Ég geymi hana í veskinu.
- veski is neuter; the pronoun is það when referring to the wallet.
What’s the difference between geyma, vera með, and hafa/að eiga in this context?
- geyma: to keep/store something somewhere (habitual or deliberate storage).
- vera með: to have/carry on you at the moment. Ég er með kvittunina í veskinu.
- hafa: to have/possess (more formal/neutral). Ég hef kvittunina í veskinu.
- að eiga: to own/possess; often not used for temporary possession in a location.
Do i and y sound the same in geymi?
Yes. In Modern Icelandic, i and y (and í/ý) represent the same sounds respectively. Spelling distinguishes etymology and morphology, not pronunciation. In geymi, the y sounds like i.
Any quick pronunciation tips for the whole sentence?
- Ég ≈ [jɛːɣ] (the g is a soft, fricative sound; many learners hear it like a light “gh”).
- geymi ≈ [ˈceimɪ] (ey like the vowel in English “they”; initial g is palatal, not a hard “g”).
- kvittunina ≈ [ˈkʰvɪh.tʏ.nɪ.na] (double tt is preaspirated, sounding like a little h before t).
- í ≈ [iː] (long ee).
- veskinu ≈ [ˈvɛs.cɪ.nʏ] (the sk before front vowels is “soft,” somewhat like an sh‑ish s).
Word stress is always on the first syllable of each word.
Can I drop the subject pronoun like in some languages?
No. Icelandic is not a pro‑drop language. You need Ég; just Geymi kvittunina… is ungrammatical in standard Icelandic.
What if I want to use other containers or places?
Replace the noun and keep the same case logic:
- í vasanum (in the pocket; dative singular definite of masculine vasi)
- í töskunni (in the bag; dative singular definite of feminine taska)
- For motion into: í vasann / í töskuna (accusative).
How do I say it in the past or future?
- Past: Ég geymdi kvittunina í veskinu.
- Future (with munu): Ég mun geyma kvittunina í veskinu.