Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Icelandic grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Húmorinn er góður.
What does húmorinn mean, and why does it end in -inn?
Húmorinn means the humor.
The ending -inn is the definite article in Icelandic. Instead of usually having a separate word like English the, Icelandic often attaches the to the end of the noun.
So:
- húmor = humor
- húmorinn = the humor
This is a very common pattern in Icelandic.
Why isn’t there a separate word for the?
Because Icelandic often expresses the by adding it to the noun itself.
In English, you say:
- the humor
In Icelandic, you often say:
- húmorinn
That attached article changes form depending on gender, number, and case, so -inn is just one of several possible article endings.
What does er mean?
Er means is.
It is the present tense of the verb vera, which means to be.
So:
- Húmorinn er góður.
- The humor is good.
This is one of the most common verbs in Icelandic, so er is a very important word to learn early.
Why is it góður and not góð or gott?