Strong Verbs: Plural Past Tense Endings
When conjugating strong verbs in the past tense for plural subjects, Icelandic uses a consistent set of endings. Just like in the singular forms, the core vowel of the verb changes. However, be aware that the vowel used in the plural past tense is often different from the vowel used in the singular past tense (for example, the singular fann becomes the plural fundum).
The plural past tense endings for strong verbs are:
- við (we): -um
- þið (you, plural): -uð
- þeir / þær / þau (they): -u
Here is how some common strong verbs look in the plural past tense:
| Infinitive | við (we) | þið (you pl.) | þeir, þær, þau (they) | Meaning |
|---|
| fara | fórum | fóruð | fóru | went |
| finna | fundum | funduð | fundu | found |
| taka | tókum | tókuð | tóku | took |
| koma | komum | komuð | komu | came |
| sjá | sáum | sáuð | sáu | saw |
Group Excursions: "við" and "þeir / þær / þau"
When telling stories about a group trip (ferðalagið) or a mountain hike (fjallgangan), you will often use the við (we) form ending in -um, or the third-person plural forms (þeir, þær, or þau) ending in -u.
You will also use outdoor vocabulary like búnaðurinn (the equipment), skálinn (the cabin), and áttavitinn (the compass).
Notice how verbs with a vowel shift in the plural past work. For example, drekka (to drink) becomes drukkum, sofa (to sleep) becomes sváfu, and ganga (to walk) becomes gengum. You can use these to describe gathering around varðeldurinn (the campfire) and enjoying náttúran (the nature).
Asking the Group: "þið"
When addressing a group of people directly, use the pronoun þið with the ending -uð. This is perfect for asking your group questions or describing their actions.
If you are exploring, you might mention leiðsögumaðurinn (the guide) or stígurinn (the path). Note that the verb hlaupa (to run) becomes hlupuð in the þið form.