When a friend tells you about a quirky town rule or a strange new local bylaw, you might respond with "Is it?" or "Does it?" to show interest or surprise. In English, these are called echo questions.
In Icelandic, forming an echo question takes three parts: the verb, the subject pronoun, and the word það (it).
Regular Verbs
If the original statement uses a regular main verb, the echo question uses gera (to do). Conjugate gera to match the tense, follow it with a pronoun matching the subject's gender, and end with það.
| The municipality limits this local service. Does it? | Sveitarfélagið takmarkar þessa staðbundnu þjónustu. Gerir það það? |
Because sveitarfélagið (the municipality) is a neuter noun, the pronoun is það. This creates the double-það phrase Gerir það það? (literally "Does it do it?").
The Verb "Vera" and Auxiliaries
If the statement uses vera (to be) or an auxiliary verb like ætla (to intend), reuse that same verb instead of gera.
| The new bylaw is really ridiculous. Is it? | Nýja samþykktin er virkilega fáránleg. Er hún það? |
Here, samþykktin (the bylaw) is feminine, so the subject pronoun is hún.
| The state intends to implement twice as strict legislation. Does it? | Ríkið ætlar að innleiða helmingi strangari löggjöf. Ætlar það það? |
Matching the Tense
Echo questions always match the tense of the original statement.
| The local council revoked the bylaw because it was controversial. Did it? | Sveitarstjórnin afturkallaði samþykktina af því að hún var umdeild. Gerði hún það? |
Negative Statements
If you are reacting to a negative statement, simply add ekki (not) to the very end.
| The local council did not revoke it. Didn't it? | Sveitarstjórnin afturkallaði hana ekki. Gerði hún það ekki? |