Ráðið hjálpar mér.

to help

Breakdown of Ráðið hjálpar mér.

• mér: me
• ráðið: the advice

Questions & Answers about Ráðið hjálpar mér.

What does Ráðið refer to here?

Ráðið is the definite form of the neuter noun ráð and can mean:

• the advice (a particular piece of advice)
• the solution/trick (as in “that’s the trick/solution” = þetta er ráðið)
• the council/board (an official body)

Without extra context, many readers will first think of “the advice.” If you mean an official body, context usually makes that clear (e.g., talking about a city council or a board).

Why is it mér and not mig?

Because hjálpa (“to help”) takes the dative case for the person being helped. Mér is the dative of “I.” So:

• Correct: Ráðið hjálpar mér.
• Wrong: Ráðið hjálpar mig.

Dictionaries often show this as: hjálpa e-m (“help someone,” where e-m = dat. of ‘someone’).

What are the case forms of “I” in Icelandic?

• Nominative: ég
• Accusative: mig
• Dative: mér
• Genitive: mín

You need the dative (mér) after hjálpa.

How is hjálpa conjugated? Why ?