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Questions & Answers about Við kveðjum gestina.
Why does the verb kveðjum end in -jum instead of just -um?
The dictionary form of the verb is kveðja (to say goodbye). Because the root of the verb ends in a j, we keep that j before the standard -um ending for við (we).
What case is gestina in, and why?
It is in the accusative case because the verb kveðja requires it. It is helpful to memorize this, since some other common social interaction verbs like þakka (to thank) require the dative case instead.
How is the word gestina formed?
The base word is gestur (guest), which is a masculine noun. In the plural accusative, the word for guests becomes gesti. To make it mean the guests, we add the plural accusative definite article ending -na, giving us gestina.
Is kveðjum related to the noun for a greeting?
Yes! The dictionary form kveðja is both a verb (to say goodbye / to greet) and a noun (a greeting / a farewell). Here, because it comes right after the pronoun við and has the -um ending, we know it is being used as a verb.