Myrkrið kemur snemma.

The darkness comes early.

Breakdown of Myrkrið kemur snemma.

• koma: to come
• snemma: early
• myrkrið: the darkness

Questions & Answers about Myrkrið kemur snemma.

Why is there no separate word for “the” in Icelandic here?

Icelandic attaches the definite article to the end of the noun. For neuter singular nouns like myrkur (“darkness”), the definite ending is -ið, so myrkrið means “the darkness.” Compare:

• masculine: -inn (e.g., maðurinn “the man”)
• feminine: -in (e.g., konan “the woman”)
• neuter: -ið (e.g., barnið “the child,” myrkrið “the darkness”)

What’s the base (dictionary) form of “myrkrið”?

The base form (nominative singular indefinite) is myrkur (“darkness”). The sentence uses the definite form myrkrið (“the darkness”).

Is “myrkur” really neuter? It looks like a masculine word because of -ur.

Yes, myrkur is a neuter noun despite ending in -ur. In Icelandic, -ur often marks masculine, but there are some neuter nouns with this ending. The definite nominative/accusative singular of neuter nouns takes -ið, hence myrkrið.

Why is the present tense “kemur” used when English might say “comes/gets …” or even “will come”?

Icelandic uses the present tense widely for general truths, habitual facts, and predictable events. Myrkrið kemur snemma states a general/seasonal fact. A future auxiliary (mun) is only used when you want to stress futurity or prediction: Myrkrið mun koma snemma, which is usually unnecessary here.

How is the verb “koma” conjugated in the present tense?

Present tense of koma (“to come”):

• ég kem
• þú kemur
• hann/hún/það kemur
• við komum
• þið komið
• þeir/þær/þau koma

What’s the word order rule in this sentence?

Icelandic main clauses are typically verb-second (V2). With the subject first, the finite verb comes second: Myrkrið (1) kemur (2) snemma (3). If you put an adverb first, the verb still stays in position 2: Snemma (1) kemur (2) myrkrið (3).

How do I negate this sentence?

Place ekki after the finite verb:

• Myrkrið kemur ekki snemma. (“The darkness does not come early.”)

How do I turn it into a yes–no question?

Put the finite verb first (still V2 overall):

• Kemur myrkrið snemma? (“Does the darkness come early?”)

What’s the difference between “snemma” and “snemmt”? Which one fits here?

• snemma: adverb used with actions (“early” in time-of-doing). Example: Hann vaknar snemma (“He wakes early”). Your sentence correctly uses snemma: kemur snemma.
• snemmt: typically used predicatively with “to be.” Example: Það er snemmt (“It is early”), Of snemmt til að fara (“Too early to go”).

Could I say this more idiomatically like “It gets dark early”?

Yes. Common alternatives:

• Það dimmir snemma (á veturna). (“It gets dark early (in winter).”)
• Það verður snemma dimmt. (“It becomes dark early.”) Your original sentence with koma is also fine and natural.

Do I need an extra time phrase like “in winter”?

Not required, but you can add one for clarity:

• Myrkrið kemur snemma á veturna. (“The darkness comes early in (the) winters/habitually in winter.”) Other options: að vetri/veturnóttum are more literary; á veturnum is also heard.

Is “Myrkur kemur snemma” (without the definite ending) okay?

It’s grammatical but less idiomatic for a general statement. The definite form Myrkrið is preferred when talking about a known, generic phenomenon (“the darkness” as a regular, expected thing). Indefinite myrkur tends to introduce new, non-generic darkness (e.g., Myrkur féll yfir bæinn “Darkness fell over the town”).

How do I say it in the past?

Use the past of koma:

• Myrkrið kom snemma. (“The darkness came early.”)

What case is “myrkrið” in here?

Nominative singular (subject of the clause), definite form of the neuter noun myrkur.

Any tips for pronouncing the tricky bits (y, ð, and the consonant cluster)?

• y is pronounced like short i in “bit.”
• ð is like the soft th in “this.” In myrkrið, it’s word-final and typically voiced.
• Stress the first syllable: MYRK-rið.
• The rk cluster is tight; keep a clear trilled or tapped r and an unaspirated/lightly aspirated k. For kemur, say KEH-mur (short e, clear r).

Where would other adverbs go, relative to the verb?

Short, common adverbs like ekki, aldrei, oft usually come right after the finite verb:

• Myrkrið kemur oft/ekki/aldrei snemma.

Is capitalization like in German (nouns capitalized)?

No. Icelandic capitalizes only proper nouns and sentence starts. myrkrið is lowercase unless at the beginning of a sentence, as here.