Í hlénu drekkum við vatn og hlæjum saman.

to drink

Breakdown of Í hlénu drekkum við vatn og hlæjum saman.

• vatnið: the water
• við: we
• saman: together

Questions & Answers about Í hlénu drekkum við vatn og hlæjum saman.

What does „Í hlénu“ literally mean, and what case is hlénu in?

„Í hlénu“ literally means “in the break” / “during the break”.

• Í = in (or at), and when it indicates location (“where?”), it normally takes the dative case.
• hlé = a break, a pause (neuter noun).
• hlénu = dative singular, definite form of hlé → in *the break*.

Very simplified mini‑paradigm:

• Nominative (sing.): hlé – a break
• Dative (sing., indefinite): hlé – in a break / during a break
• Dative (sing., definite): hlénu – in the break

So í hlénu = in the break (that’s happening now / that we both know about).

Why is the word order „Í hlénu drekkum við…“ and not „Í hlénu við drekkum…“?