Tölvan virkar núna.

The computer works now.

Breakdown of Tölvan virkar núna.

• núna: now
• virka: to work
• tölvan: the computer

Questions & Answers about Tölvan virkar núna.

What does each word mean, and what’s the basic structure?

• Tölvan = the computer (noun tölva
  • the definite suffix -n)
• virkar = works / functions (3rd person singular present of the verb virka “to work (function), be effective”)
• núna = now (temporal adverb) Word order is Subject–Verb–Adverb. Icelandic main clauses are V2 (the finite verb is in second position).

Why does it say tölvan and not tölva?

Icelandic has a suffixed definite article. tölva = “computer,” tölvan = “the computer.” The -n marks definiteness in the nominative singular for many feminine nouns ending in -a.

How would I say “a computer works now”?

There’s no separate indefinite article in Icelandic. In practice, you wouldn’t normally start a sentence with a bare indefinite singular subject like tölva. You would typically:

• Use the numeral “one” if that’s really what you mean: Ein tölva virkar núna. (One computer works now.)
• Or rephrase with an expletive: Það er ein tölva sem virkar núna. (There is one computer that works now.)

Can I start with “now,” like “Now the computer works”?

Yes: Núna virkar tölvan. Icelandic is V2, so when you front núna, the verb (virkar) must still be in second position, and the subject (tölvan) follows it. This version emphasizes the time (“now”).

How do I make a yes/no question: “Does the computer work now?”

Invert subject and verb:

• Virkar tölvan núna?

How do I say “The computer doesn’t work now”?

Place the negation ekki after the verb:

• Tölvan virkar ekki núna. You can also front time for emphasis: Núna virkar tölvan ekki.

What’s the difference between virka and vinna (both “to work”)?

• virka = to work/function/be effective (machines, plans, medicines): Tölvan virkar.
• vinna = to work/do a job (people): Hún vinnur í banka. (She works at a bank.)

Can I say “is working” with “to be + -ing,” like English?

Icelandic usually uses the simple present for states like functionality: Tölvan virkar núna (“The computer is working now”). The progressive construction vera að + infinitive is not used for this meaning; Tölvan er að virka would sound like “the computer is in the process of starting to work,” which is unusual here.

How do I talk about past or future?

• Past: Tölvan virkaði í gær. (The computer worked yesterday.)
• Future is often context-driven, or you can use munu
  • infinitive: Tölvan mun virka á morgun. (The computer will work tomorrow.)

What’s the pronoun for “computer,” and can I use it here?

tölva is feminine, so the pronoun is hún (“she/it”). You can say: Hún virkar núna.

How is tölva declined (common forms)?

Singular:

• Nom: tölva / Def: tölvan
• Acc: tölvu / Def: tölvuna
• Dat: tölvu / Def: tölvunni
• Gen: tölvu / Def: tölvunnar

How do I say it in the plural?

• Indefinite: Tölvur virka núna. (Computers work now.)
• Definite: Tölvurnar virka núna. (The computers work now.)

Can I use an expletive “it,” like “It works now”?

Yes, when there’s no explicit subject you can use það: Það virkar núna. But with a clear subject (tölvan), you don’t add það: not “Það tölvan virkar...”.

What’s the difference between núna and nú?

Both can mean “now.”

• núna is straightforwardly temporal (“right now/at present”).
• nú can be temporal but also a discourse marker (“now, well…”), and can sound a bit more flexible or idiomatic. In this sentence, núna is the safe, neutral choice. You could also say Nú virkar tölvan, which is fine and slightly terser.

How is the sentence pronounced?

Approximate IPA: [ˈtœlvan ˈvɪr̥kar ˈnuːna] Tips:

• ö = a rounded vowel like French “eu” in “peur.”
• ú is a long “oo” [uː].
• Stress the first syllable of each word.
• In virkar, the r in the cluster rk is devoiced; don’t add an English-like “w” sound.

Why is there an -s-like ending on the verb (virkar)? What’s the present conjugation?

For regular verbs like virka:

• ég virka (I)
• þú virkar (you sg.)
• hann/hún/það virkar (he/she/it)
• við virkum (we)
• þið virkið (you pl.)
• þeir/þær/þau virka (they) So tölvan (3rd person singular) takes virkar.

Is virkar ever an adjective?

Don’t confuse them:

• virkar here is a verb form (“works”).
• virkur is an adjective meaning “active.” Its feminine plural nominative form is also virkar, but that’s an adjective (e.g., virkar lausnir = “active/effective solutions”). Context distinguishes them.

Are there common alternatives to say this?

Yes:

• Tölvan er í lagi núna. (The computer is okay/all right now.)
• Akkúrat núna virkar tölvan. (Right now the computer works.)
• If it just started working again: Tölvan virkar aftur (núna).

Where does the word tölva come from?

It’s a modern Icelandic coinage, combining tala (“number”) and völva (“seeress, prophetess”), roughly “number-prophetess.” It’s a famous example of Iceland’s preference for native word formation.