Learn Icelandic: Makinn minn er þrjátíu ára. - My spouse is thirty years old.

Makinn minn er þrjátíu ára.

My spouse is thirty years old.

Breakdown of Makinn minn er þrjátíu ára.

Questions & Answers about Makinn minn er þrjátíu ára.

Why is the word for "years" (ára) in the genitive case here?

In Icelandic, when you state someone's age using this phrasing, you are literally saying they are "of thirty years." Therefore, the noun ár (year) must be in the genitive plural, which is ára.

Why do we say makinn minn (the spouse my) instead of just maki minn?

When using possessive pronouns like minn (my), Icelandic usually requires the noun to have the definite article attached to it. So the weak masculine noun maki (spouse) becomes makinn (the spouse) before adding minn.

Is maki only used for a legally married spouse?

While it directly translates to "spouse," maki is widely used in modern Icelandic to refer to a serious, long-term romantic partner or significant other, whether you are legally married or not.

Does the word þrjátíu change its ending depending on the case?

No, the number þrjátíu (thirty) is indeclinable, meaning its form never changes regardless of gender or case. In Icelandic, only the numbers 1 through 4 change their endings to match the noun they describe.