Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Ég keypti hvíta málningu og nýjan pensil í búðinni á horninu. - I bought white paint and a new brush at the shop on the corner.

Ég keypti hvíta málningu og nýjan pensil í búðinni á horninu.

I bought white paint and a new brush at the shop on the corner.

Breakdown of Ég keypti hvíta málningu og nýjan pensil í búðinni á horninu.

Questions & Answers about Ég keypti hvíta málningu og nýjan pensil í búðinni á horninu.

What is keypti, and what is the dictionary form of the verb?

Keypti is the past tense of kaupa, meaning bought.

So:

kaupa = to buy
ég keypti = I bought

This is the normal past-tense form you need in this sentence. As in many Icelandic verbs, the past tense is not formed in a way that always looks obvious to an English speaker, so it is best learned together with the infinitive.

Why are málningu and pensil not in their basic dictionary forms?

Because they are direct objects of keypti, and the verb kaupa takes the accusative case for what is bought.

Dictionary forms:

málning = paint
pensill = brush

Accusative singular forms here:

málningu
pensil

So the sentence uses object forms, not nominative forms.

Why is it hvíta but nýjan?