Possessive noun endings (-s, -ar)

Showing Ownership

To show possession in Icelandic, use the genitive case. Unlike English, Icelandic places the possessed object before the owner (literally "puppy Einar's").

To turn a name or bare noun into an owner, add a genitive ending. The two most common endings for singular names are -ar and -s.

The -ar Ending

Many feminine names ending in a consonant take the -ar suffix. For example, Kristín becomes Kristínar, and Sigrún becomes Sigrúnar.

This is Kristín's apartment.
Þetta er íbúð Kristínar.
Sigrún's garage is open.
Bílskúr Sigrúnar er opinn.

The -s Ending

Many masculine names take the -s suffix. For example, Páll becomes Páls, and Einar becomes Einars.

I need to find Páll's address.
Ég þarf að finna heimilisfang Páls.
Einar's puppy ate the shoe.
Hvolpur Einars borðaði skóinn.

Multiple Owners

When something belongs to more than one person, both names take their genitive endings.

Jón and Sigrún's bakery is closed today.
Bakarí Jóns og Sigrúnar er lokað í dag.

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