Presentative and the definite suffix (þetta er, -inn, -in, -ið)

Pointing things out with "Þetta er"

In Icelandic, there is no word for "a" or "an". A bare noun like bíll means both "car" and "a car". To point an object out, use the phrase þetta er (this is).

The Definite Suffix (Saying "the")

Instead of a separate word for "the", Icelandic adds a suffix to the end of the noun. The suffix changes based on the noun's grammatical gender: masculine, feminine, or neuter.

• Masculine: Add -inn (bíll becomes bíllinn)
• Feminine: Add -in (bók becomes bókin)
• Neuter: Add -ið (hús becomes húsið)

Describing Locations

Once you've introduced an object, use the definite suffix to talk about its location with words like hér (here) and þar (there).

Let's look at a neuter noun, hús (house):

Connecting Ideas

Link sentences together using og (and). The first half introduces a new object with a bare noun, and the second half uses the definite suffix because the object is now specific and known.