Time duration (í)

Batteries and Devices

Let's look at some essential vocabulary for managing your electronics, such as rafhlaðan (the battery), tækið (the device), and the verb hlaða (to charge).

I charge the phone because the battery is empty.
Ég hleð símann af því að rafhlaðan er tóm.

To describe whether a machine operates properly, use the verb virka (to work, to function).

This device works very well.
Þetta tæki virkar mjög vel.

Time Duration with "í"

To express how long an action lasts, use the preposition í followed by the duration in the accusative case. This is the Icelandic equivalent of "for" in phrases like "for two hours."

When counting hours (klukkutími), use the accusative form for both the number and the noun. For example, "one hour" is einn klukkutíma and "two hours" is tvo klukkutíma.

I am going to charge the phone for two hours.
Ég ætla að hlaða símann í tvo klukkutíma.
You need to charge the device for one hour.
Þú þarft að hlaða tækið í einn klukkutíma.

This structure applies to any unit of time, such as korter (fifteen minutes) and plural days (daga).

The computer only works for fifteen minutes.
Tölvan virkar bara í korter.
The password works for five days.
Lykilorðið virkar í fimm daga.

Cables, Connections, and Downloads

You will also encounter words like skráin (the file), snúran (the cable), and the adjective tengdur (connected).

Is the phone connected to the internet?
Er síminn tengdur við netið?

When waiting for a download, simply pair í with the accusative duration to explain exactly how long it takes.

I save the file and wait for ten minutes.
Ég vista skrána og bíð í tíu mínútur.