Expressing Desires with Langa
Just like the verbs finnast and líka, the verb langa (to want / to long for) requires a quirky subject. However, instead of the dative case, the person experiencing the desire takes the accusative case.
Instead of the standard subject pronouns ég (I) and þú (you), you must use mig (me) and þig (you). The verb remains langar for both.
To say what you want to do, combine your quirky subject and verb with the infinitive marker að (to) and an infinitive action verb.
| I want to eat now. | Mig langar að borða núna. |
| Do you want to go home? | Langar þig að fara heim? |
Adding Objects and Asking Questions
You can expand these sentences by adding an object right after your infinitive verb, such as vatnið (the water).
| I want to drink the water. | Mig langar að drekka vatnið. |
To ask someone what they want to do or have, start the sentence with the question word hvað (what).
| What do you want to drink? | Hvað langar þig að drekka? |
Negation and Time Phrases
To say that you do not want to do something, place the word ekki (not) immediately after the verb langar and before the infinitive marker að.
| I do not want to sleep. | Mig langar ekki að sofa. |
You can also add time expressions at the end of the sentence to specify when you want to do something. The phrase í kvöld translates to "tonight" or "this evening".
| What do you want to do tonight? | Hvað langar þig að gera í kvöld? |
| I want to be home tonight. | Mig langar að vera heima í kvöld. |
