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Questions & Answers about Tilkynning kemur á morgun.
Why is there no “a” or “the” before tilkynning?
Icelandic has no separate indefinite article, so tilkynning can mean “an announcement” by default. If you want “the announcement,” you attach a definite suffix: tilkynningin. So:
- Tilkynning kemur á morgun. = “An announcement comes/is coming tomorrow.”
- Tilkynningin kemur á morgun. = “The announcement comes/is coming tomorrow.”
Could I use the definite form tilkynningin here?
Yes, if a specific announcement is meant or already known in context:
- Tilkynningin kemur á morgun. implies listeners know which announcement you mean. Use the bare tilkynning when it’s non‑specific or newly introduced.
Why is kemur (present tense) used for a future event?
Icelandic often uses the simple present to talk about scheduled or near‑certain future events, much like English “the train leaves tomorrow.” Kemur is the present of koma (“to come”), and with a time adverbial like á morgun (“tomorrow”), it clearly refers to the future. You can also make the future explicit (see below), but it isn’t required.
How do I make an explicit “will” future?