In Icelandic, when you start a sentence with a conditional ("if") or temporal ("when") clause, it is standard to anchor the following main clause with the resumptive adverb þá (then).
Conditional Clauses with "Ef"
When a sentence begins with ef (if), starting the following main clause with þá firmly establishes the result.
| If the storyteller reads the rulebook, then we can start. | Ef sögumaðurinn les reglubókina, þá getum við byrjað. |
Because þá occupies the first position of the main clause, it triggers the V2 (verb-second) rule. The verb must come immediately after þá, followed by the subject:
| If you step on the trap, then you lose the hit point. | Ef þú stígur á gildruna, þá missir þú lífspunktinn. |
| If the dice roll is good, then the group defeats the dragon. | Ef teningakastið er gott, þá sigrar hópurinn drekann. |
Temporal Clauses with "Þegar"
The same structure applies to time clauses starting with þegar (when). When the þegar clause comes first, the main clause kicks off with þá.
| When the character drinks the healing potion, then the pain decreases. | Þegar persónan drekkur lækningadrykkinn, þá minnkar verkurinn. |
This pattern works exactly the same way in the past tense:
| When the attack began, then the armor was on the table. | Þegar árásin byrjaði, þá var brynjan á borðinu. |
| When the thief finds the trap, then he uses the magic wand. | Þegar þjófurinn finnur gildruna, þá notar hann töfrasprotann. |
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