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Questions & Answers about Hlekkurinn virkar núna.
Where is the word the here? Why is it part of hlekkurinn?
Icelandic doesn’t use a separate word for the definite article. It attaches a suffix to the noun:
- Masculine singular often takes -inn. With nouns ending in -ur, that becomes -urinn, so hlekkur → hlekkurinn (the link).
- Other examples: bíll → bíllinn (the car), köttur → kötturinn (the cat).
Why is it hlekkurinn and not hlekkinn?
Case. As the subject of the sentence, the noun is nominative: hlekkurinn. The form hlekkinn is accusative (used for a direct object). For example:
- Subject: Hlekkurinn virkar. (The link works.)
- Object: Smelltu á hlekkinn. (Click the link.)
What does virkar mean exactly? Is it the same as “works” (has a job)?
Virka means “to function/be working (as intended).” It is not about employment. For “to work” (have a job), use vinna.
- Function: Prentarinn virkar. (The printer works/is functioning.)
- Employment: Hún vinnur á spítala. (She works at a hospital.)
Why does the verb end in -ar? How do I conjugate virka?
Virka is a regular -a verb. Present tense:
- ég virka
- þú virkar
- hann/hún/það virkar
- við virkum
- þið virkið
- þeir/þær/þau virka Here, hlekkurinn is 3rd person singular, so you use virkar.
Can I start the sentence with núna? What happens to word order?
Yes. Icelandic main clauses are verb-second (V2). If you front núna, the finite verb still comes second:
- Neutral: Hlekkurinn virkar núna.
- Time-first: Núna virkar hlekkurinn. Avoid: ✗ Núna hlekkurinn virkar. (ungrammatical in standard V2 order)
Is there a difference between núna and nú?
Both can mean “now,” but:
- núna is the straightforward time adverb (“now”).
- nú can be “now” but also has discourse uses (“well/now then”) and can sound a bit more stylistically marked. In this sentence, núna is the safest, least ambiguous choice.
How would this sentence look in the plural (“the links work now”)?
- Plural subject and plural verb: Hlekkirnir virka núna. Singular vs. plural:
- Singular: hlekkurinn virkar
- Plural: hlekkirnir virka
Could I replace hlekkurinn with a pronoun?
Yes. Because hlekkur is masculine, you can say Hann virkar núna (“He/it works now”) when it’s clear you mean the link. You’ll also see það used as a general “it,” but when referring back to a specific masculine noun, hann is the most grammatically aligned choice.
Is hlekkur the normal word for a web “link”? What about tengill, slóð, or linkur?
- hlekkur: very common for a hyperlink in everyday use.
- tengill: also used in computing/technical contexts; many UIs and documentation prefer it.
- slóð: the address/URL itself (literally “path”).
- linkur: an informal anglicism; understood, but less formal/standard. All of hlekkur and tengill are acceptable for “hyperlink.”
Can I say Hlekkurinn er að virka núna to mimic English “is working now”?
You can, but it often sounds off for “functioning.” The progressive-like er að focuses on an activity in progress. For “it (now) functions/works,” simple present is best: Hlekkurinn virkar núna. If you want “has started to work,” say Hlekkurinn er farinn að virka.
How do I pronounce Hlekkurinn virkar núna?
Approximate guide:
- Hlekkurinn: initial hl is a voiceless L [l̥], so not an English “hl” sequence; kk has pre-aspiration ([hk]); final -inn like “-in.” Roughly: “Lhehk-koo-rin” with a trilled/ tapped r.
- virkar: “VIR-kar,” short i as in “bit,” trilled/tapped r.
- núna: “NOO-na,” long ú. IPA (approx.): [ˈl̥ɛhkʏrɪn ˈvɪrkar ˈnuːna]
What are the main case forms of hlekkur I should know?
Indefinite forms:
- Singular: N hlekkur, A hlekk, D hlekk, G hlekkjar
- Plural: N hlekkir, A hlekki, D hlekkjum, G hlekkja Definite nominative singular is hlekkurinn (used here).
Why not just say Virkjar or virkjar? I’ve seen virkja too.
- virka = “to function/work (as intended).” 3sg present: virkar.
- virkja = “to activate/enable.” 3sg present: virkjar. So virkar (from virka) is correct in this sentence. virkjar would mean “activates.”