Adjectives of degree (-mikill, -lítill)

Icelandic builds new adjectives by adding the suffixes -mikill (much/great) or -lítill (little/small) to a noun. This expresses an abundance or lack of a specific quality, similar to English prefixes like "high-" and "low-".

For example, starting with pláss (space), a vehicle with a lot of space is plássmikill (roomy), while one lacking space is plásslítill (cramped).

This campervan is very roomy.
Þessi húsbíll er mjög plássmikill.
The old campervan is too cramped.
Gamli húsbíllinn er of plásslítill.

These suffixes attach directly to noun roots, such as eyðsla (fuel consumption) and viðhald (maintenance).

We are going to look at the campervan at noon, although it is fuel-inefficient.
Við ætlum að skoða húsbílinn í hádeginu, þó að hann sé eyðslumikill.
A low-maintenance campervan is often costly.
Viðhaldslítill húsbíll er oft kostnaðarmikill.

Declining Compound Adjectives

Like all adjectives, these compounds agree with the noun they describe in gender, number, and case. They decline exactly like the base adjectives mikill and lítill.

When describing a feminine noun like ferð (trip), use the feminine nominative -mikil or -lítil.

The trip will be costly although the campervan is fuel-efficient.
Ferðin verður kostnaðarmikil þó að húsbíllinn sé eyðslulítill.

When modifying a neuter noun, or making a general statement starting with Það er... (It is...), use the neuter forms -mikið or -lítið.

It is risky to buy an old campervan.
Það er áhættumikið að kaupa gamlan húsbíl.

Finally, pay attention to the masculine accusative form. When a masculine noun like húsbíll (campervan) acts as a direct object, the adjectives agree with it, becoming -mikinn or -lítinn.

I do not want a high-maintenance campervan.
Mig langar ekki í viðhaldsmikinn húsbíl.
Do you want a low-risk campervan?
Langar þig í áhættulítinn húsbíl?
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