Questions & Answers about Ég elska þann sem hjálpar mér.
What does the phrase þann sem mean in this sentence?
In this sentence, þann sem works together and is best translated as “the one who” or “the person who”.
- þann = “that (person)” in the accusative case (masculine singular)
- sem = “who / that” (a relative pronoun that introduces a clause)
So:
- Ég elska þann sem hjálpar mér.
≈ I love the one who helps me.
Why is it þann and not sá in this sentence?
Sá is the nominative (subject) form; þann is the accusative (object) form of the same word.
The verb elska (“to love”) takes a direct object in the accusative case. Here, the thing being loved is “that person / the one,” so that word must be in the accusative:
- Nominative (subject): sá = that (man / person)
- Accusative (object): þann = that (man / person)
Since the person is the object of elska, we need þann, not sá.
What case is þann in, and can I see the full pattern?