Breakdown of Ég get ekki einbeitt mér á meðan þau ljósrita skjalið.
ég
I
ekki
not
þau
they (n)
skjalið
the document
geta
to be able to
einbeita sér
to concentrate
ljósrita
to photocopy
á meðan
while
Questions & Answers about Ég get ekki einbeitt mér á meðan þau ljósrita skjalið.
How does the conjunction á meðan affect the word order here?
Á meðan (while) is a subordinating conjunction. When a subordinate clause has the subject right after the conjunction, the word order stays exactly the same as a normal independent sentence. Here, the subject þau is right next to á meðan, so the verb ljósrita and the object skjalið follow in standard subject-verb-object order.
Why is the verb einbeitt used instead of the infinitive einbeita?
It follows the modal verb geta (can or to be able to). In Icelandic, geta is unique because it forces the main verb into the supine form, which looks identical to the neuter singular past participle. Therefore, the infinitive einbeita becomes einbeitt.
Why do we need the word mér after einbeitt?
The verb for to concentrate is einbeita sér, which is a reflexive verb that governs the dative case. Because the subject is ég (I), the reflexive pronoun sér must match it, becoming the dative mér. You are literally saying 'I cannot concentrate myself'.
The verb ljósrita means to photocopy. How is this word built?
It is a descriptive compound word made of ljós (light) and rita (to write). So, to photocopy in Icelandic is literally to light-write.
What case is skjalið in this sentence?
It is in the accusative case because it is the direct object receiving the action of the verb ljósrita. It comes from the neuter noun skjal (document) with the definite article -ið attached. For neuter nouns, the nominative and accusative forms are identical.
Learn Ég get ekki einbeitt mér á meðan þau ljósrita skjalið and more in Icelandic
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free