Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Icelandic grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Amman kemur með köku.
What does the word form Amman mean, and what is the -n at the end?
- Amma means grandmother (indefinite).
- Icelandic marks definiteness by adding a suffix. For feminine -a nouns, you add -n: amma → amman = the grandmother.
- So Amman means “the grandmother” (or “Grandma,” referring to a specific, known one).
- Spelling note: amma already has double m; you just add -n to get amman.
Could I say Amma kemur instead?
- Amma kemur is grammatical but usually means “a/any grandmother is coming” or can be used when addressing your grandma directly in speech (vocative: Amma!).
- If you mean “my grandma,” the natural phrasing is Amma mín kemur.
- Amman kemur refers to a specific grandma known from context (e.g., in a story or earlier mention).
Why is kaka written as köku here?
- köku is the singular oblique form of kaka (cake). Feminine -a nouns often change a → ö in non-nominative cases due to u-umlaut (historical influence of a u-type ending).
- Examples of the same pattern:
- saga → sögu
- gata → götu
- In this sentence, köku functions as the object of the preposition með.
- Note: for kaka, accusative, dative, and genitive singular are all köku; only nominative is kaka.
What case does með take, and why is it köku here?
- með can take accusative or dative, depending on meaning:
- Accusative: “with” in the sense of having/bringing/carrying something.
- Ég kem með köku. I’m bringing a cake. (accusative)
- Dative: “with” in the sense of being in company with someone.
- Ég kem með henni. I’m coming with her. (dative)
- Accusative: “with” in the sense of having/bringing/carrying something.
- Here it’s the “bringing/having” meaning, so accusative is intended. With kaka, the form happens to be köku for both acc and dat.
Does koma með just mean “bring”?
- Yes. koma með X = bring X (come bringing X).
- Related options:
- taka með (sér) = take/bring along (when you’re the one going somewhere): Ég tek köku með (mér).
- færa = bring/bring over (often with a sense of presenting/gifting): Hún færir honum köku.
Why is the verb kemur and not koma?
- koma is the dictionary form (infinitive). kemur is 3rd person singular present.
- Mini present tense overview:
- ég kem, þú kemur, hann/hún/það kemur
- við komum, þið komið, þeir/þær/þau koma
- Past: kom (e.g., Hún kom = she came).
Does the Icelandic present here mean “is coming” or “comes”?
- The simple present can cover both simple and progressive meanings in English.
- Amman kemur með köku typically means “Grandma is bringing a cake” (either now or as a scheduled plan).
- For an explicit ongoing/near-immediate feel, you can say: Amman er að koma með köku.
- For a clear future: Amman mun koma með köku (“will bring”).
How do I say “with the cake” instead of “with a cake”?
- “With a cake” = með köku (indefinite).
- “With the cake” = með kökuna (definite accusative singular).
What’s the basic word order here? Where does the verb go?
- Icelandic main clauses are verb-second (V2): the finite verb is in position 2.
- In Amman kemur með köku, the subject (Amman) is first, the verb (kemur) is second, then the rest.
- If you front another element, the verb still stays second:
- Í kvöld kemur amman með köku.
- Með köku kemur amman. (topicalized; stylistic/emphatic)
How do I form the yes/no question “Is Grandma bringing a cake?”
- Invert subject and verb:
- Kemur amman með köku?
- Possible answers:
- Já, amman kemur með köku.
- Nei, amman kemur ekki með köku.
How do I say “Grandma is coming with the cake” (definite cake)?
- Amman kemur með kökuna.
Pronunciation tips for the sentence?
- Amman: stress on the first syllable; the double mm is a longer consonant.
- kemur: roughly “KEH-mur”; r is trilled/tapped.
- með: ð is like the th in English “this.” Before a voiceless sound (like k in köku), many speakers devoice it a bit.
- köku: ö like German ö/French eu in “peur”; final u is a short, rounded vowel [ʏ]. Stress on the first syllable: KÖ-ku.
Is it idiomatic to say Amman kemur með sér köku?
- Usually you just say koma með X: Amman kemur með köku.
- með sér is common with verbs like taka or hafa: Hún tók köku með sér (She brought a cake with her).
- Amman kemur með sér köku is understandable but sounds marked; prefer Amman kemur með köku.
How would I add an adjective, like “a big cake” or “the big cake”?
- Adjectives agree in gender, number, and case.
- Accusative singular feminine with kaka:
- Indefinite: stóra köku → Amman kemur með stóra köku.
- Definite: stóru kökuna → Amman kemur með stóru kökuna.
Can með + dative vs accusative change the meaning with plural nouns?
- Yes, and it’s a useful contrast:
- Dative (in company with): Hún kom með börnunum. = She came with the children (the children accompanied her).
- Accusative (she brought them): Hún kom með börnin. = She brought the children.