Við skiptum um akrein þegar strætóinn stoppar fyrir framan okkur.

We change lanes when the bus stops in front of us.

Breakdown of Við skiptum um akrein þegar strætóinn stoppar fyrir framan okkur.

• við: we
• þegar: when
• okkur: us
• fyrir framan: in front of

Questions & Answers about Við skiptum um akrein þegar strætóinn stoppar fyrir framan okkur.

Why does the sentence use skiptum um instead of just skiptum?

Because skipta um is a fixed expression meaning to change or to switch something.

In this sentence, skipta um akrein means to change lanes.
Without um, skipta often means things like divide, share, or exchange, so the meaning would change.

A good rule to remember is:

• skipta um föt = change clothes
• skipta um akrein = change lanes
• skipta um skoðun = change one’s opinion

Why is the verb form skiptum?

Skiptum is the 1st person plural present tense form of skipta.

The subject is við, which means we, so the verb has to match that:

• ég skipti = I change
• þú skiptir = you change
• við skiptum = we change

So Við skiptum means we change.

Why is there no separate word for a before akrein?