Þó að það sé kalt, göngum við áfram.

to be

Breakdown of Þó að það sé kalt, göngum við áfram.

• það: it
• við: we
• kalt: cold

Questions & Answers about Þó að það sé kalt, göngum við áfram.

What does Þó að mean, and why is it two words?

Þó að is a conjunction meaning although, even though, or though.

It is written as two words in this structure:

• þó að það sé kalt = although it is cold

You may also see þótt, which is closely related and often translated the same way. In many contexts, þó að and þótt are both possible, though þó að is especially transparent for learners because it clearly looks like a conjunction phrase.

Why is it sé and not er?

Sé is the subjunctive form of the verb að vera (to be).

Compare:

• það er kalt = it is cold
• þó að það sé kalt = although it is cold

After conjunctions like þó að, Icelandic often uses the subjunctive, especially when the clause expresses concession, uncertainty, attitude, or something presented in a less direct way.

So this is a very common pattern:

• þó að + subjunctive

That is why sé appears instead of er.

What exactly is það doing here?