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Ef það rignir mikið, tek ég regnhlífina með mér.

Ef það rignir mikið, tek ég regnhlífina með mér.
If it rains a lot, I take the umbrella with me.

Breakdown of Ef það rignir mikið, tek ég regnhlífina með mér.

ég
I
það
it
mér
me
mikið
a lot
ef
if
regnhlífin
the umbrella
rigna
to rain
taka með sér
to bring
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Questions & Answers about Ef það rignir mikið, tek ég regnhlífina með mér.

Why does it say það rignir instead of just rignir?
In Icelandic, weather verbs commonly use a “dummy” subject það (like English it): það rignir = it rains. You can sometimes hear rignir by itself in very informal speech, but það rignir is the standard, neutral way.
What form is rignir and how is it used here?

Rignir is the present tense (3rd person singular) of að rigna (to rain). Icelandic often uses the present tense in if-clauses and for future-like meaning when the context makes it clear:
Ef það rignir ... can mean If it rains ... (now/soon/in general).

Why is there a comma after mikið?

When a subordinate clause comes first (here, the ef-clause), Icelandic typically separates it with a comma:
Ef það rignir mikið, ...
This is very normal punctuation.

Why is the word order tek ég and not ég tek?

Icelandic follows a strong V2 (verb-second) pattern in main clauses. When you start the sentence with something else (like the ef-clause), the finite verb usually comes next, and the subject follows it:

  • Ef það rignir mikið, tek ég ...
    Compare when the sentence starts with the subject:
  • Ég tek regnhlífina með mér ef það rignir mikið.
What does mikið do here, and where can it go?

Mikið means a lot / much and it modifies the raining: rignir mikið = rains a lot. Its natural position is after the verb:

  • það rignir mikið
    You’ll also see similar adverbs in that slot (e.g., oft, stundum, aldrei).
Why is it regnhlífina (with -ina) and not regnhlíf?

Regnhlífina is definite: the umbrella. The ending -ina marks definite + accusative singular (because it’s the direct object of tek).

  • Ég tek regnhlíf = I take an umbrella (indefinite)
  • Ég tek regnhlífina = I take the umbrella (a specific one)
What case is regnhlífina, and why?
It’s accusative singular definite. The verb að taka (to take) normally takes a direct object in the accusative, so regnhlíf changes to regnhlífina when it’s definite and functioning as that object.
What does með mér literally mean, and why is it mér?

Með mér literally means with me (i.e., along with me / with me in my possession). After the preposition með, the pronoun ég becomes mér (dative form).
Pronoun set (singular): ég (nom) → mig (acc) → mér (dat) → mín (gen/poss).

Could I say tek ég með mér regnhlífina instead?

Yes—moving parts around is possible, but it changes the feel. The most neutral here is:

  • tek ég regnhlífina með mér
    You can also place með mér earlier for emphasis or rhythm:
  • Ef það rignir mikið, tek ég með mér regnhlífina.
    Both are understandable; the first is more straightforward.
How do you pronounce some key parts: Ef, rignir, regnhlífina, með mér?

Approximate tips (varies by accent):

  • Ef: like ev (final consonant often sounds like f/v depending on context)
  • rignir: roughly RIG-nir (rolled/trilled Icelandic r)
  • regnhlífina: roughly REGN-hlee-vi-na (the hl is a voiceless l sound)
  • með mér: roughly meth myer (with Icelandic ð like the th in this)