Questions & Answers about Penninn dettur af borðinu.
What does the ending -inn in penninn mean?
In Icelandic the definite article is usually attached to the end of the noun.
So penn-inn = pen-the → the pen.
- penni = a pen (indefinite)
- penninn = the pen (definite, masculine singular nominative)
Why is it borðinu and not borðið or borð?
Because the preposition af (meaning off (of/from a surface)) normally requires the dative case.
So borð (table) has to appear in dative singular, and it’s also definite here:
- borð = a table (nominative/accusative singular, indefinite)
- borði = (to/from/on) a table (dative singular, indefinite)
- borðinu = (to/from/on) the table (dative singular, definite)
How do I know borð is neuter, and does that affect the forms?
Yes. borð is a neuter noun, and neuter nouns have their own pattern of endings.
Typical singular forms for borð:
- Nominative: borð /