Just as certain verbs and prepositions require a specific case, some Icelandic adjectives also demand that their object be in the dative case.
In English, we usually rely on prepositions to link adjectives to their targets (e.g., disagreeing with, grateful to, independent of). In Icelandic, the preposition is often absent, and the adjective governs the dative case directly.
Pronouns in the Dative
When expressing your stance or gratitude towards people, pronouns like ég (I) and þeir (they) must change to their dative forms, mér and þeim, when paired with adjectives like ósammála (disagreeing) and þakklátur (grateful).
| The opponent completely disagrees with me about this. | Andmælandinn er mér alveg ósammála um þetta. |
| The speaker is very grateful to them for the help. | Ræðumaðurinn er þeim mjög þakklátur fyrir hjálpina. |
Nouns in the Dative
This rule applies equally to regular nouns. In debates and formal discussions, you will frequently use adjectives like skaðlegur (harmful), gagnlegur (useful), and kunnugur (familiar). The person or thing being affected must be in the dative case.
| We reject the proposal because it is harmful to the society. | Við höfnum tillögunni af því að hún er samfélaginu skaðleg. |
| This topic of discussion is very useful to the student. | Þetta umræðuefni er nemandanum mjög gagnlegt. |
| The opponent loses because he is not familiar with the topic of discussion. | Andmælandinn tapar af því að hann er ekki kunnugur umræðuefninu. |
Expressing Independence
The adjective óháður (independent) also governs the dative case. Notice how the words for "everyone" (öllum) and "the old rule" (gömlu reglunni) take the dative when they refer to the thing something is independent of.
| The judge must be independent of everyone. | Dómarinn verður að vera óháður öllum. |
| Is this new proposal independent of the old rule? | Er þessi nýja tillaga óháð gömlu reglunni? |