In Icelandic, certain prepositions change the ending of the noun that follows them. Use the dative case for origin or a static location (where something is right now) after the prepositions frá (from), í (in), and á (on).
Here is how bare singular nouns (nouns without "the" attached) change in the dative case.
Origin with "frá"
Use frá + dative for origin:
- Ísland (Iceland) adds an -i to become Íslandi.
- Reykjavík does not change.
| I am from Iceland. | Ég er frá Íslandi. |
| Are you from Reykjavik? | Ert þú frá Reykjavík? |
Location with "í" and "á" (Masculine Nouns)
Bare masculine nouns change their endings:
- Nouns ending in -i (like kassi, box) change to -a (kassa).
- Nouns ending in -ur (like skápur, cabinet) drop the -ur completely (skáp).
| The cat is in a box. | Kötturinn er í kassa. |
| I want to sleep on a sofa. | Mig langar að sofa á sófa. |
| The coffee is in a cabinet. | Kaffið er í skáp. |
Feminine Nouns
Bare feminine nouns ending in -a (like skúffa, drawer, or stofa, living room) change to -u (skúffu, stofu).
| The key is in a drawer. | Lykillinn er í skúffu. |
| We are sitting in a living room. | Við sitjum í stofu. |
Neuter Nouns
Most bare neuter nouns ending in a consonant (like rúm, bed) add an -i (rúmi).
| The girl is sleeping in bed. | Stelpan sefur í rúmi. |
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