Þó að hún sé ákveðin, hlustar hún samt á ráð þegar hún treystir fólki.

Although she is determined, she still listens to advice when she trusts people.

Breakdown of Þó að hún sé ákveðin, hlustar hún samt á ráð þegar hún treystir fólki.

• vera: to be
• hún: she
• þegar: when
• hlusta: to listen

Questions & Answers about Þó að hún sé ákveðin, hlustar hún samt á ráð þegar hún treystir fólki.

Why is sé used here instead of er?

Because sé is the present subjunctive of vera (to be).

After þó að (although / even though), Icelandic very often uses the subjunctive, especially in a concessive clause like this one. So:

• hún er = she is, indicative
• hún sé = she be / is, subjunctive

In modern English, this distinction usually is not visible, but in Icelandic it is an important grammar point.

What does þó að do in this sentence?

Þó að introduces a concessive subordinate clause. It sets up a contrast, like:

• although
• even though

So the clause Þó að hún sé ákveðin gives background that contrasts with what comes next.

You may also see þótt, which can often be used similarly.

Why is the word order hlustar hún and not hún hlustar?