Starfsmaðurinn varð óvinnufær vegna meiðslanna.

The employee became unfit for work because of the injuries.

Breakdown of Starfsmaðurinn varð óvinnufær vegna meiðslanna.

• verða: to become
• vegna: because of
• starfsmaðurinn: the employee
• óvinnufær: unfit for work

Questions & Answers about Starfsmaðurinn varð óvinnufær vegna meiðslanna.

Why does starfsmaður become starfsmaðurinn?

The ending -inn is the definite article, attached to the noun.

So:

• starfsmaður = an employee / employee
• starfsmaðurinn = the employee

Icelandic usually adds the to the end of the noun instead of using a separate word like English does.

In this sentence, starfsmaðurinn is in the nominative singular masculine, because it is the subject of the sentence.

What does varð mean here?

Varð is the past tense of verða, which often means become.

So:

• verða = to become
• varð = became

In this sentence, Starfsmaðurinn varð óvinnufær means The employee became unable to work.

This verb is very common in Icelandic, and it is irregular, so its forms need to be learned separately.

Why is it óvinnufær and not a separate phrase like not able to work?