Yes/no questions (ert þú…?)

Asking Yes/No Questions

In Icelandic, make a yes/no question by flipping the word order. In a statement, the subject comes first, followed by the verb. To ask a question, put the verb first.

Is the man sick?
Er maðurinn veikur?

Answering with Já and Nei

To answer a question, start with (yes) or nei (no), followed by a regular statement.

Yes, the man is sick.
Já, maðurinn er veikur.

Questions with "Þú" (You)

When asking a question directly to someone, reverse the pronoun þú (you) and the verb ert (are) to make ert þú (are you).

When answering, remember to reply using ég er (I am).

Are you tired?
Ert þú þreyttur?
No, I am sick.
Nei, ég er veikur.

More Examples

Notice how the adjective continues to match the gender of the noun it describes.

Is the cat outside?
Er kötturinn úti?
Yes, the cat is outside.
Já, kötturinn er úti.
Is the school closed?
Er skólinn lokaður?
Yes, the school is closed.
Já, skólinn er lokaður.
Is the shop open?
Er búðin opin?
Yes, the shop is open.
Já, búðin er opin.