Starting an action (fara að)

About to Happen: "Fara að"

To express that an action is just beginning or about to happen, use the verb fara (to go) followed by and the infinitive of the main verb.

This translates literally to "going to [do something]," but is best understood as "starting to" or "about to." It is perfect for describing sudden weather changes.

Here is a quick reminder of how to conjugate fara in the present tense:

PronounForm of fara
égfer
þúferð
hann / hún / þaðfer
viðförum
þiðfarið
þeir / þær / þaufara

For example, describing when it is getting windy or a cloud is darkening:

It is going to start getting windy tomorrow.
Það fer að hvessa á morgun.
The cloud is starting to darken a lot.
Skýið fer að dökkna mikið.

Approaching Storms

When describing multiple subjects, use the plural form of fara.

The thunder and the lightning are about to come.
Þruman og eldingin fara að koma.

You can also use this structure to describe physical effects, like starting to get wet.

The boy is starting to get wet in the downpour.
Strákurinn fer að vökna í steypiregninu.

Personal Reactions

Notice how fara conjugates for different pronouns (like við förum or ég fer) while the main action stays in the infinitive:

We are going to get wet if we do not find the hut.
Við förum að vökna ef við finnum ekki kofann.
I start to get scared when I hear a loud crash.
Ég fer að hræðast þegar ég heyri stóran skell.
The girl starts to cry and grabs her mom.
Stelpan fer að gráta og grípur mömmu sína.