Indefinite pronoun (ýmis, ýmislegt)

"Ýmislegt" (Various Things)

To talk about a mix of unspecified things, use the standalone neuter pronoun ýmislegt (various things). It doesn't modify a specific noun; it acts as a noun itself.

One can find various things at the flea market.
Maður getur fundið ýmislegt á flóamarkaðnum.
If one buys various things, one perhaps finds a treasure.
Ef maður kaupir ýmislegt, finnur maður kannski gersemi.

The Pronoun "Ýmis" (Various)

To say "various" or "several" of a specific noun, use the pronoun ýmis.

Unlike ýmislegt, ýmis modifies a noun and must agree with it in gender, number, and case. Because it refers to "various [items]," it is most frequently used in the plural.

Notice that the middle i often drops out when adding endings. Here are the plural nominative (subject) and accusative (object) forms:

  • Masculine: ýmsir (nom) / ýmsa (acc)
  • Feminine: ýmsar (nom & acc)
  • Neuter: ýmis (nom & acc)
Various collectors had visited the flea market.
Ýmsir safnarar höfðu heimsótt flóamarkaðinn.
The selection is good and they sell various records here.
Úrvalið er gott og þeir selja ýmsar plötur hér.
I like to rummage and look at various trinkets.
Mér finnst gaman að gramsa og skoða ýmsa smáhluti.
We had rummaged a lot before we saw various antiques.
Við höfðum gramsað mikið áður en við sáum ýmsa forngripi.