Ég þarf kvittun.

I need a receipt.

Breakdown of Ég þarf kvittun.

• ég: I
• þurfa: to need
• kvittun: the receipt

Questions & Answers about Ég þarf kvittun.

What case is used for the noun here, and why?

• kvittun is in the accusative case, because þurfa (to need) takes a direct object in the accusative.
• Here, the form looks the same in nominative/accusative/dative singular (kvittun), but grammatically it’s accusative.

Why is there no word for “a” before kvittun?

Icelandic has no indefinite article. So kvittun can mean “a receipt” in English. If you want “the receipt,” you use a suffixed definite article:

• nominative: kvittunin
• accusative (as an object): kvittunina

Could I say “Ég þarf að kvittun”?

No. Use að only before a verb.

• Correct with a noun: Ég þarf kvittun.
• Correct with a verb phrase: Ég þarf að fá kvittun. (“I need to get a receipt.”)

Is “Ég þarf kvittun” polite enough in a shop or restaurant? What are more natural requests?

It’s understandable but a bit bare/direct. More natural polite options:

• Má ég fá kvittun, takk? (May I have a receipt, please?)
• Gæti ég fengið kvittun? (Could I get a receipt?)
• Very short: Kvittun, takk.