In English, we pair certain adjectives with specific prepositions, saying that someone is "interested in" something or "afraid of" someone. In Icelandic, adjectives similarly pair with fixed prepositions.
When you use these adjective-preposition pairs, it is the preposition that dictates the case (accusative or dative) of the noun that follows.
Adjectives with "um" (+ Accusative)
When talking about your interests, you will often use the preposition um (about/in). In these adjective pairs, um always forces the following noun into the accusative case.
- áhugasamur um (interested in)
- forvitinn um (curious about)
Adjectives with "með" (+ Accusative)
To express your satisfaction, disappointment, or how you handle things, you will frequently use með (with). With these specific adjectives, the object being evaluated or handled takes the accusative case.
- vonsvikinn með (disappointed with)
- kærulaus með (careless with)
- ánægður með (happy / satisfied with)
Skills and Fears: "í" and "við"
When discussing your skills, the adjective góður (good) pairs with í (at/in) and requires the dative case.
Conversely, when talking about things that frighten you, hræddur (afraid) pairs with við (of/with) and requires the accusative case.
The Preposition "fyrir": Accusative vs. Dative
The preposition fyrir (for) is heavily used with adjectives, but the case it demands depends entirely on the adjective it pairs with.
- þekktur fyrir (known for) takes the accusative case.
- spenntur fyrir (excited for/about) takes the dative case.
Notice in the examples below how "þetta ljóð" (this poem) is in the accusative, while "skáldsögunni" (the novel) takes the definite dative ending -inni.
