Expectations and Schedules: Eiga að
When you want to express what is "supposed to" happen according to a schedule or plan, Icelandic uses the verb eiga followed by the particle að and an infinitive verb.
While eiga normally means "to own" or "to have", this specific structure is used for expectations, itineraries, or hearsay (what something "is said to" be like).
Here is the present tense conjugation of eiga:
| Pronoun | Form of eiga |
|---|---|
| ég | á |
| þú | átt |
| hann / hún / það | á |
| við | eigum |
| þið | eigið |
| þeir / þær / þau | eiga |
For a third-person subject like a tour's departure time or meeting point, use á.
| The departure time is supposed to be at eight o'clock. | Brottfarartíminn á að vera klukkan átta. |
| The meeting point is supposed to be outside the lodging. | Mætingarstaðurinn á að vera fyrir utan gististaðinn. |
Hearsay and Reputation
You can also use this structure to express hearsay—what people say about a place or an experience.
| In short, this group tour is supposed to be incredibly fun. | Í stuttu máli á þessi hópferð að vera ótrúlega skemmtileg. |
Questions and Plurals
To ask a question about an itinerary, simply swap the subject and the conjugated verb eiga.
| Is the boat trip supposed to be included in the price? | Á bátsferðin að vera innifalin í verðinu? |
When talking about what "we" are supposed to do, use the plural form eigum.
| We are supposed to get free time according to the timetable. | Við eigum að fá frjálsan tíma samkvæmt tímatöflunni. |
Negation
To say that something is "not supposed to" happen, place the negation word ekki immediately after the conjugated form of eiga, before að.
| We are not supposed to go to the viewpoint unless the weather is good. | Við eigum ekki að fara á útsýnisstaðinn nema veðrið sé gott. |