As a security guard at an art museum, you will frequently need to tell guests to stop whatever they are currently doing.
Continuous Prohibitions with Ekki vera að
To tell someone to stop an ongoing action, Icelandic uses the phrase ekki vera að followed by an infinitive.
It literally translates to "don't be doing," but it is the standard and natural way to say "Stop [doing something]!" or "Don't keep [doing something]."
| Please stop touching the artwork. | Ekki vera að snerta listaverkið, vinsamlegast. |
| Stop poking the artwork with the pen! | Ekki vera að pota í listaverkið með pennanum! |
Directing Guests
You can plug any infinitive verb into this structure. For example, if someone is leaning on the exhibits, use styðjast við (to lean on). If they are scratching a pillar, use klóra (to scratch).
| Stop leaning on the marble! | Ekki vera að styðjast við marmarann! |
| Please stop scratching the pillar. | Ekki vera að klóra súluna, vinsamlegast. |
Verbs Governing the Dative
The ekki vera að structure does not change the grammatical case that the main verb requires. For instance, the verb veifa (to wave) governs the dative case. Therefore, reipið (the rope) becomes reipinu in the dative, just as it normally would.
| Stop waving the rope! | Ekki vera að veifa reipinu! |
Finally, remember to look out for cameras in the gallery:
| Stop using the flash here. | Ekki vera að nota leifturljósið hér. |
