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Questions & Answers about Ég kaupi tómata.
What tense/aspect is expressed by the verb form “kaupi”?
“Kaupi” is present tense, 1st person singular of “kaupa” (to buy). Icelandic present can mean both:
- a general/habitual action: I buy tomatoes (regularly)
- an action happening now: I am buying tomatoes If you want to be explicit about an ongoing action, use “vera að” + infinitive: Ég er að kaupa tómata.
Why is it “tómata” here?
“Tómata” is accusative plural. The verb “kaupa” takes a direct object in the accusative, and since we’re talking about more than one tomato, the plural accusative is used.
Why not “tómatar”? What’s the difference?
“Tómatar” is nominative plural (used for subjects). As a direct object you need accusative plural: “tómata.”
- Subject: Tómatar eru rauðir. (Tomatoes are red.)
- Object: Ég kaupi tómata. (I buy tomatoes.)
How would I say “I buy a tomato” or “I buy one tomato”?
Use the accusative singular “tómat”:
- I buy a tomato: Ég kaupi tómat.
- I buy one tomato: Ég kaupi einn tómat. (“einn” = one, masculine accusative)
How do I say “I buy the tomatoes” or “I buy the tomato”?
Icelandic uses a suffixed definite article: