Samtalið tekur fimm mínútur.

to take

Breakdown of Samtalið tekur fimm mínútur.

• samtalið: the conversation
• mínúta: the minute
• fimm: five

Questions & Answers about Samtalið tekur fimm mínútur.

What does the -ið on Samtalið mean?

The -ið is the definite article attached to the end of the noun. Icelandic usually puts the at the end of the word instead of using a separate word like English does.

• samtal = conversation
• samtalið = the conversation

This noun is neuter singular, and -ið is the definite ending here.

Why is it Samtalið and not just samtal?

Because Samtalið means the conversation, while samtal would mean a conversation or just conversation in a general sense.

So:

• Samtalið tekur fimm mínútur. = The conversation takes five minutes.
• Samtal tekur fimm mínútur. = A conversation takes five minutes or Conversation takes five minutes depending on context

What does tekur mean here?

Tekur is the present tense of the verb taka, which usually means to take.

Here it is used just like English take in expressions of duration:

• það tekur tíma = it takes time
• það tekur fimm mínútur = it takes five minutes

In this sentence, Samtalið tekur fimm mínútur literally means The conversation takes five minutes.