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Questions & Answers about Hún fylgir ráðunum þínum.
Why is ráðunum in the dative plural here?
- The verb fylgja governs the dative case, so its object must be in dative.
- The noun ráð is neuter; its dative plural is ráðum.
- Because the possessive follows the noun, Icelandic adds the definite article, giving ráðunum (dative plural definite).
- So ráðunum = dative plural definite of ráð.
Why does the possessive come after the noun, and why is there a definite ending?
- When a possessive pronoun is postposed in Icelandic, the noun normally takes the suffixed definite article: ráðunum þínum (literally: the advice yours).
- Saying ráðum þínum with the possessive after but without the article is generally not standard.
- Postposed possessive is the neutral/default order.
Can I put the possessive before the noun? What changes?
- Yes: Hún fylgir þínum ráðum.
- When the possessive is preposed, the noun does not take the definite ending.
- This order slightly emphasizes whose advice it is (your advice as opposed to someone else’s). Both versions are correct.
Why is it þínum and not þín?
- þinn (your, singular) declines like an adjective and must agree with the noun.
- ráðunum is neuter, plural, dative → the matching possessive form is þínum.
- Some useful forms:
- Nom.sg.neut: þitt
- Dat.sg.neut: þínu
- Nom.pl.neut: þín
- Dat.pl (all genders): þínum
Is ráð singular or plural here?
- It’s plural here, signaled by the dative plural ending -um (in ráðum-/ráðunum).
- ráð has the same form for singular and plural in nominative/accusative, so case endings reveal number.
- Singular ráð often means a plan/measure/solution; plural ráð often corresponds to English uncountable advice.
Can you give me the core forms of ráð?
- Singular (indef.): nom/acc ráð, dat ráði, gen ráðs; definite nom/acc ráðið.
- Plural (indef.): nom/acc ráð, dat ráðum, gen ráða; definite nom/acc ráðin, dat ráðunum, gen ráðanna.
What exactly is the ending in ráðunum?
- Indefinite dative plural is -um: ráðum.
- The definite dative plural suffix is -unum: ráðunum.
- A handy way to memorize: dat.pl indef = -um; dat.pl def = -unum.
Do I need a preposition with fylgja?
- No. fylgja takes a direct object in the dative.
- Examples: Hún fylgir mér (She follows me), Þeir fylgja reglunum (They follow the rules).
How is fylgja conjugated in the basics?
- Infinitive: fylgja
- Present 3sg: fylgir → Hún fylgir ráðunum þínum.
- Past 3sg: fylgdi → Hún fylgdi ráðunum þínum.
- Past participle: fylgt → Ég hef fylgt ráðunum þínum.
- 1pl present: fylgjum; 3pl present: fylgja
How do I make the sentence negative?
- Place ekki after the finite verb: Hún fylgir ekki ráðunum þínum.
What if I mean your (plural), not your (singular)?
- Use ykkar (it does not decline).
- Postposed: Hún fylgir ráðunum ykkar.
- Preposed (still no article on the noun): Hún fylgir ykkar ráðum.
What’s the difference between ráð and ráðleggingar?
- ráð (often plural) = advice/tips in a general sense.
- ráðleggingar = recommendations/pieces of advice (explicitly countable).
- With ráðleggingar (dat.pl.def): Hún fylgir ráðleggingunum þínum.
Any tips for pronouncing ð and þ (and the vowels) here?
- ð in ráðunum: voiced th, like in English this.
- þ in þínum: unvoiced th, like in thing.
- á: like ow in now (long).
- ú: long oo, as in food.
- í: long ee.
- Roughly: Hún [huːn], fylgir [ˈfɪl.cɪr], ráðunum [ˈrauːðʏnʏm], þínum [ˈθiːnʏm].
Is the word order special in Icelandic?
- Icelandic is a V2 language: the finite verb occupies the second position in main clauses.
- Hún fylgir ráðunum þínum has subject–verb–object order, satisfying V2.
- If you front the object, the verb stays second: Ráðunum þínum fylgir hún (marked/emphatic but grammatical).
Could I say follow up on your advice?
- That’s fylgja eftir: Hún fylgir eftir ráðunum þínum = She follows up on your advice.