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Stærðin á buxunum passar ekki.

Stærðin á buxunum passar ekki.
The size of the pants does not fit.
FromLesson 17inHardcore Icelandic

Breakdown of Stærðin á buxunum passar ekki.

ekki
not
á
on
stærðin
the size
buxurnar
the pants
passa
to fit

Questions & Answers about Stærðin á buxunum passar ekki.

Why is it á buxunum (“on the pants”) when the meaning is “of the pants”?
In everyday Icelandic, the genitive (“of”) is often paraphrased with á + dative, especially with nouns like stærð (“size”): stærðin á X = “the size of X.” So stærðin á buxunum is the colloquial, very natural way to say “the size of the pants.” It’s not literally “on” here; it’s a set phrase meaning “of.”
Why is buxunum in the dative plural?

Because á takes the dative when it expresses a static relation (“on/at” as location/state), and in this construction (meaning “of”), it also uses the dative. The noun buxur (“pants, trousers”) is plural-only, so:

  • dative plural indefinite: buxum
  • dative plural definite: buxunum (used here)
Are buxur always plural? Can I use a singular form?
Yes, buxur is plural-only (like English “pants”). You don’t normally use a singular. If you need to count, you can say eitt par buxna (“one pair of pants”), where par (“pair”) takes a genitive plural (buxna).
Why is stærðin definite?
Icelandic marks definiteness with a suffix when a specific, identifiable item is meant. Here, you’re talking about a particular size you tried or selected, so stærðin (“the size”) is the natural choice. English often omits “the” here, but Icelandic typically includes it.
Why is it passar and not passa?
Agreement. The subject is stærðin (“the size”), which is singular feminine, so the verb is 3rd person singular: passar. If the subject were plural (e.g., buxurnar “the pants”), you’d get passa: Buxurnar passa ekki (“The pants don’t fit”).
Where does ekki go in a sentence like this?
In a simple declarative clause with one finite verb, ekki usually follows the finite verb: Stærðin … passar ekki. In yes/no questions, you invert the verb and it still precedes ekki: Passar stærðin á buxunum ekki?
How do I say “This size doesn’t fit me” / “These pants don’t fit me”?

Use the person in the dative:

  • Þessi stærð passar mér ekki. (“This size doesn’t fit me.”)
  • Þessar buxur passa mér ekki. (“These pants don’t fit me.”) You can also omit the person if it’s clear: Buxurnar passa ekki.
Can I use passa við here?
No. - passa (e-ð) = “fit (size-wise).” That’s what you need here. - passa við (e-ð) = “match/go with” (colors/styles): Skyrtan passar við jakkann (“The shirt matches the jacket”). Different meaning.
Could I say Stærð buxnanna passar ekki instead?
Yes, that’s grammatical and a bit more formal/literary, using a genitive: stærð buxnanna (“the size of the pants”). Note: don’t say stærðin buxnanna—avoid double definiteness in this pattern. Colloquial speech prefers stærðin á buxunum.
Should I say passar mér or passar á mig for “fits me”?

Both occur:

  • More standard: passa + dative person → Þetta passar mér.
  • Also heard: passa á + accusative person → Þetta passar á mig (“fits on me”). With sizes/clothes, mér/þér/honum… (dative) is the safer default.
Can I just say “The pants don’t fit” in Icelandic?

Yes:

  • Buxurnar passa ekki.
  • If already mentioned, you can use a pronoun: Þær passa ekki (because buxur is feminine plural).
Why not á buxurnar?
Because á takes the dative for a static relation (and in this “of X” paraphrase). Buxurnar is accusative/nominative plural definite. Here you need the dative plural definite: buxunum.
Any quick pronunciation tips for the tricky parts?
  • stærðin: “stair-thin,” with the soft voiced ð like the “th” in “this.” æ like “eye.”
  • á: like the “ow” in “now.”
  • buxunum: “BUKS-uh-num” (Icelandic x = “ks”).
  • passar: roughly “PAH-sar.”
  • ekki: “EH-kki,” with a strong “kk” (doubling indicates a longer/fortis consonant).
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