Questions & Answers about Hann lítur út um gluggann.
Why is the verb lítur used here instead of horfir or sér?
In Icelandic, sjá means to see (often unintentionally), horfa means to watch intently, and líta is used for directing your gaze or taking a look. Because he is turning his eyes toward the window, líta is the most natural choice.
Why do we use út um together to mean "out of"?
Út is an adverb showing the outward direction of his gaze. Um is a preposition that means "through" in this context. Icelandic uses the combination út um to describe looking or going "out through" an opening like a window or door.
Doesn't the preposition um usually mean "about"?
Yes, it is very commonly used to mean "about" when talking or thinking. However, prepositions often have multiple meanings. When talking about physical movement or spaces, um frequently means "through" or "across."
Why does the word for window end in "-nn" (gluggann)?
The preposition um always forces the noun following it to take the accusative case. The basic masculine noun is gluggi, which changes to glugga in the accusative. To say "the" window, we attach the accusative definite article -nn, giving us gluggann.