Við tökum lyftuna, þar sem stiginn er mjög langur.

We take the elevator, since the stairs are very long.

Breakdown of Við tökum lyftuna, þar sem stiginn er mjög langur.

• vera: to be
• við: we
• mjög: very
• taka: to take

Questions & Answers about Við tökum lyftuna, þar sem stiginn er mjög langur.

Why is it Við tökum lyftuna and not something like Við tökum lyfta or Við tökum lyftan?

Three things are happening in Við tökum lyftuna:

1. Verb + object → accusative case
   The verb taka (to take) takes a direct object in the accusative.

   • Nominative (dictionary form): lyfta (an elevator, a lift)
   • Accusative singular: also lyfta (same shape as nominative here)

2. Definite article is suffixed
   Icelandic usually sticks the definite article onto the end of the noun:

   • lyfta = a lift / an elevator
   • lyftan = the lift (nominative)
   • lyftuna = the lift (accusative)

   Since lyfta is the object, we need accusative

   • definite article → lyftuna.

3. Why not lyftan?
   -an is nominative definite; the object must be accusative, so -una is correct here.

So: Við tökum lyftuna literally = We take the-elevator (accusative).

Could I say Við tökum lyftu instead of Við tökum lyftuna?