Questions & Answers about Ekki ljúga að mér.
Why does the sentence start with ekki?
Because Icelandic very commonly makes a negative command with ekki + infinitive.
So:
- Ekki ljúga = Don’t lie
This is one of the most useful beginner patterns to learn:
- Ekki fara = Don’t go
- Ekki tala = Don’t speak
- Ekki gleyma = Don’t forget
So the initial ekki is not unusual at all here; it is the normal way to start this kind of command.
Why is the verb ljúga and not something like ljúgðu?
Ljúga is the infinitive, the dictionary form: to lie.
In Icelandic, negative commands are often formed with:
- ekki + infinitive
That is why you get Ekki ljúga rather than the positive imperative form.
For comparison:
- Ljúgðu! = Lie! (singular command)
- Ekki ljúga! = Don’t lie!
You may also hear Ljúgðu ekki..., but Ekki + infinitive is a very common and safe pattern for learners.
What does að mér mean here?