In the previous lesson, you learned that prepositions indicating a static location (í, á) or origin (frá) require the dative case.
When a noun has "the" attached to it (a definite noun), its dative ending changes based on its gender.
Neuter Definite Nouns (-nu)
For neuter nouns, the definite dative ending is -nu (most often seen as -inu).
- eldhúsið (the kitchen) becomes eldhúsinu.
- gólfið (the floor) becomes gólfinu.
| The man is inside the kitchen. | Maðurinn er inni í eldhúsinu. |
| My dog sits on the floor. | Hundurinn minn situr á gólfinu. |
Masculine Definite Nouns (-num)
For masculine nouns, the definite dative ending is -num (taking the form -inum or just -num).
- diskurinn (the plate) becomes diskinum.
- veitingastaðurinn (the restaurant) becomes veitingastaðnum.
| The cake is on the plate in the kitchen. | Kakan er á diskinum í eldhúsinu. |
| He comes from the restaurant. | Hann kemur frá veitingastaðnum. |
Feminine Definite Nouns (-nni)
For feminine nouns, the definite dative ending is -nni (taking the form -unni or -inni).
- vinnan (the work) becomes vinnunni.
- taskan (the bag) becomes töskunni.
- skálin (the bowl) becomes skálinni.
Notice how the a in taskan changes to an ö in töskunni—the u in the dative ending triggers this vowel shift!
| The woman is not at work. | Konan er ekki í vinnunni. |
| The key is in the bag. | Lykillinn er í töskunni. |
| The fish is in the bowl. | Fiskurinn er í skálinni. |
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