Breakdown of Ég set smjörið á brauðið.
ég
I
brauðið
the bread
á
onto / on / in (static location) / on (a day of the week)
setja
to put
Questions & Answers about Ég set smjörið á brauðið.
Why do we use the accusative case for brauðið after the preposition á?
The preposition á (on) takes the accusative case when it describes movement toward a destination, like putting butter onto the bread. If the sentence described where the butter already rests (The butter is on the bread), you would use the dative case instead.
What verb does set come from, and why is the letter 'j' missing?
It comes from the infinitive verb setja (to put or place). Like many Icelandic verbs ending in -ja, the 'j' drops out in the present tense for the ég (I) form, leaving just ég set.
smjörið and brauðið are both in the accusative case here. Why do they look exactly like their dictionary forms?
Both smjör (butter) and brauð (bread) are neuter nouns. In Icelandic, all neuter nouns (and their attached definite articles, like the -ið meaning 'the') keep the exact same form in the accusative case as they do in the nominative (subject) case.
Is smjörið in the accusative case for the same reason as brauðið?
No! brauðið is accusative because it is the destination of the motion preposition á. However, smjörið is accusative because it is the direct object of the verb setja (the thing being put).