Kennarinn útskýrir þetta skref fyrir skref.

In Icelandic, the definite article the is usually attached to the end of the noun instead of written as a separate word.

• kennari = teacher
• kennarinn = the teacher

So Kennarinn means the teacher.

This is very common in Icelandic and is one of the first things English speakers notice, because English uses a separate word, while Icelandic often uses a suffix.

The base form is kennari, which means teacher.

In this sentence:

• kennari = teacher
• kennarinn = the teacher

Kennari is a masculine noun, and here it is in the nominative singular because it is the subject of the sentence.

Útskýrir is the present tense of the verb útskýra, meaning to explain.

So:

• að útskýra = to explain
• útskýrir = explains / is explaining

In this sentence, Kennarinn útskýrir þetta means The teacher explains this.

Depending on context, the English translation could be:

• explains
• is explaining

Icelandic present tense often covers both of those English possibilities.

Because the subject is Kennarinn = the teacher, which is third person singular.

The verb útskýra is conjugated to match that subject:

• ég útskýri = I explain
• þú útskýrir = you explain
• hann/hún/það útskýrir = he/she/it explains

Since kennarinn is a singular noun, the sentence uses the third-person singular form útskýrir.

Þetta means this here.

It is the thing being explained, so it is the direct object of the verb útskýrir.

A useful thing to know is that þetta is a neuter form of the demonstrative this. In many sentences, Icelandic demonstratives change form depending on gender, number, and case.

Here, þetta works because the thing referred to is either:

• neuter, or
• being referred to in a general way as this

So Kennarinn útskýrir þetta means The teacher explains this.

It is the accusative, because it is the direct object of útskýrir.

The verb að útskýra normally takes an accusative object.

One thing that can confuse learners is that for þetta, the nominative and accusative forms are the same in the neuter singular. So even though it looks unchanged, its role in the sentence is still accusative here.

Literally, it means step for step.

Idiomatic English would usually say:

• step by step

So the whole sentence means that the teacher explains something gradually, one stage at a time.

This is a fixed expression in Icelandic and is very common.

Normally, fyrir is a preposition with several meanings, including things like for, before, or other meanings depending on context and case.

But in skref fyrir skref, the whole phrase functions as an idiomatic expression meaning step by step. So it is best to learn it as a unit rather than trying to translate fyrir too literally here.

In other words:

• skref fyrir skref = step by step

Even though fyrir often means for, that is not the most natural way to understand it in this phrase.

Yes. It tells you how the teacher explains something.

So in the sentence:

• Kennarinn = subject
• útskýrir = verb
• þetta = object
• skref fyrir skref = adverbial phrase describing the manner of the explanation

It answers the question How does the teacher explain this? Answer: Step by step.

This sentence uses a very straightforward Icelandic word order:

• Subject + Verb + Object + Adverbial

So:

• Kennarinn = subject
• útskýrir = verb
• þetta = object
• skref fyrir skref = adverbial phrase

That is why it feels familiar to an English speaker.

However, Icelandic word order can also change more than English word order can, especially because Icelandic follows a verb-second pattern in main clauses. For example, another element could be moved to the front for emphasis, but the finite verb would still usually stay in second position.

Yes, to some extent.

For example, Icelandic often allows a different element to come first for emphasis or style, while keeping the finite verb in second position. A version like:

• Þetta útskýrir kennarinn skref fyrir skref.

can be possible, with more focus on this.

That said, Kennarinn útskýrir þetta skref fyrir skref is the most neutral and straightforward version.

So learners should understand two things:

• this sentence has a normal, basic word order
• Icelandic can move elements around more freely than English, especially in main clauses

The letter þ is pronounced like the th in thing, not like the th in this.

So þetta begins with that voiceless th sound.

This is important because Icelandic has both:

• þ = like th in thing
• ð = usually like th in this

That distinction is very important in pronunciation.

A rough guide for an English speaker would be something like:

• KENN-a-rinn OOT-sky-ree(r) THET-ta skref FEER-ir skref

But that is only approximate.

A few pronunciation notes:

• Kennarinn has stress on the first syllable.
• ú is a long vowel.
• þ in þetta is like th in thing.
• fyrir is not pronounced exactly like English fear-ir, but that rough guide can help at first.
• Icelandic almost always stresses the first syllable of the word.

Yes.

• Kennari útskýrir þetta skref fyrir skref. = A teacher explains this step by step or Teacher explains this step by step, depending on context
• Kennarinn útskýrir þetta skref fyrir skref. = The teacher explains this step by step

So -inn makes the noun definite: the teacher, not just a teacher.

Yes, it is completely natural.

It is clear, grammatical, and idiomatic. It sounds like a normal Icelandic sentence someone might say in a classroom, in an explanation, or in educational material.

A learner can treat it as a very good model sentence because it shows several useful features at once:

• a noun with the suffixed definite article: kennarinn
• a common present-tense verb: útskýrir
• a direct object: þetta
• a very useful idiomatic phrase: skref fyrir skref