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Questions & Answers about Undirskriftin er skýr.
What does each word mean and what are their grammatical roles?
- Undirskrift-in = signature + the; the subject (feminine nominative singular). Built from undir (under) + skrift (writing) with the definite ending -in.
- er = is; 3rd person singular of vera (to be); the copula.
- skýr = clear; a predicate adjective describing the subject.
Why does the noun end in -in? Where is “the”?
Icelandic uses a suffixed definite article. For feminine nouns in nominative singular, the ending is -in. So undirskrift → undirskriftin = “the signature.” (For reference: masculine -inn, feminine -in, neuter -ið.)
What gender/case/number is undirskriftin, and why?
It’s feminine nominative singular. It’s the subject of the sentence, and subjects of the copula vera (“to be”) are in the nominative. The final -t in undirskrift is part of the root; it doesn’t make the noun neuter.
Why is the adjective skýr and not skýrt or skýra?
- Predicate adjectives agree with the subject. With a feminine singular subject (undirskriftin), the form is skýr. (For this adjective, masculine and feminine nominative singular look the same.)
- skýrt is the neuter form (also the adverb “clearly”: Hann skrifar skýrt = He writes clearly).
- skýra is the weak feminine form used attributively with a definite noun: skýra undirskriftin = the clear signature.
How would I say “The signatures are clear”?
Undirskriftirnar eru skýrar.
- undirskriftirnar = the signatures (feminine nominative plural, definite)
- eru = are
- skýrar = clear (feminine nominative plural)
How do I negate the sentence?
Place ekki after the verb: Undirskriftin er ekki skýr.
You can also choose a different adjective:
- Undirskriftin er óskýr. = The signature is unclear.
- Undirskriftin er ólæsileg. = The signature is illegible.
How do I turn it into a yes/no question and answer it?
Invert verb and subject: Er undirskriftin skýr?
Answers:
- Já, hún er skýr. (Yes, it is clear.) [hún because the noun is feminine]
- Nei, hún er ekki skýr.
Can I change the word order for emphasis?
Yes. Fronting the adjective is possible for emphasis or style: Skýr er undirskriftin. This is marked/poetic; the neutral order is Undirskriftin er skýr.
How do I say “a clear signature” vs “the clear signature”?
- a clear signature: skýr undirskrift (adjective before an indefinite noun; strong form)
- the clear signature: skýra undirskriftin or hin skýra undirskrift (with a definite noun; weak form skýra)
Which pronoun replaces undirskriftin?
Use the feminine pronoun hún: Hún er skýr.
How do I pronounce it?
Approximate guide:
- Undirskriftin: “UN-dir-skrih-ftin” (u like “put”; r tapped; nd often sounds like nt)
- er: “ehr”
- skýr: “skeer” (ý = long “ee”; r tapped/rolled) Stress the first syllable: UN-dir-skriftin ehr SKEER.
How does the adjective change with different subjects in this pattern?
Predicate adjectives agree with the subject:
- Masculine: Samningurinn er skýr. (The contract is clear.)
- Feminine: Undirskriftin er skýr.
- Neuter: Skjalið er skýrt.
- Plural feminine: Undirskriftirnar eru skýrar.
Is there a difference between undirskrift and undirritun?
Yes:
- undirskrift = a signature (the written name/mark)
- undirritun = the act of signing (e.g., a signing ceremony) Example: Undirritun samningsins fór fram í morgun og undirskriftin er skýr.
Can I intensify the adjective?
Yes: Undirskriftin er mjög skýr. = The signature is very clear. Other intensifiers: afar, býsna, rosalega (colloquial).
What are the key forms of “vera” (to be) I might need?
- Present: ég er, þú ert, hann/hún/það er, við erum, þið eruð, þeir/þær/þau eru
- Past: ég var, þú varst, hann/hún/það var, við vorum, þið voruð, þeir/þær/þau voru