Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Icelandic grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Kuldinn drepur blómin.
Why does blómin end in -in? Isn't that the ending for feminine words?
It can be! For example, bókin (the book) is feminine singular. However, blóm (flower) is a neuter word. For most neuter words, the plural is exactly the same as the singular, meaning blóm can mean flower or flowers. When you add "the" to a plural neuter word, the ending is also -in, making blómin (the flowers).
How exactly is the word "the" added to kuldi (cold)?
Kuldi is a masculine noun that ends in a vowel. When attaching the masculine definite article -inn (the) to the end of the word, Icelandic drops one of the vowels so they don't clash. Therefore, kuldi + -inn becomes kuldinn (the cold), rather than "kuldiinn".
What case is blómin in, and why?
It is in the accusative case because it is the direct object receiving the action of the verb drepur (kills). Neuter words like blóm are very friendly for learners because their nominative (subject) and accusative (object) forms are exactly the same!