As [Adjective] As: jafn ... og
To express that two things are equal in a certain quality ("as [adjective] as"), Icelandic uses jafn (equally) followed by the adjective, and then og (and/as).
| The microwave is as high-quality as the fridge. | Örbylgjuofninn er jafn vandaður og ísskápurinn. |
| The coffee machine is as expensive as the toaster. | Kaffivélin er jafn dýr og brauðristin. |
Adjective Agreement
The adjective between jafn and og must agree in gender and number with the subject (the first item being compared). For example, with the feminine noun hrærivélin (the mixer), the adjective aflmikill (powerful) takes its feminine form, aflmikil.
| This mixer is as powerful as the old mixer. | Þessi hrærivél er jafn aflmikil og gamla hrærivélin. |
Questions and Negation
Form questions by inverting the subject and verb, or make comparisons negative by adding ekki before jafn ("not as [adjective] as").
| Is the vacuum cleaner as quiet as the washing machine? | Er ryksugan jafn hljóðlát og þvottavélin? |
| The dryer is not as energy-efficient as the dishwasher. | Þurrkarinn er ekki jafn sparneytinn og uppþvottavélin. |
Using Comparisons in Context
These comparisons can easily connect to longer sentences, like conditional statements with ef (if) or explanations with þess vegna (therefore).
| If the dryer is as loud as the vacuum cleaner, you have to return it. | Ef þurrkarinn er jafn hávær og ryksugan, átt þú að skila honum. |
| The toaster is as cheap as the coffee machine, therefore I am going to buy it. | Brauðristin er jafn ódýr og kaffivélin, þess vegna ætla ég að kaupa hana. |
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