Maðurinn er ríkur.

to be

Breakdown of Maðurinn er ríkur.

• maðurinn: the man
• ríkur: rich; wealthy

Questions & Answers about Maðurinn er ríkur.

Why is it maðurinn and not just maður?

Because -inn is the definite article attached to the noun.

• maður = man
• maðurinn = the man

Unlike English, Icelandic usually puts the at the end of the noun instead of using a separate word.

So in this sentence:

• Maðurinn = the man

What does the ending -inn mean exactly?

-inn is the masculine singular form of the attached definite article in the nominative.

In other words, it is the Icelandic way of saying the here.

With this noun:

• maður = man
• maðurinn = the man

You do not say a separate word for the in this sentence.

Why is the verb er used here?