Question 1

Can you break down how með því að creates the meaning 'by working'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase með því að literally translates to 'with it to'. In Icelandic, you cannot link a preposition directly to an action verb, so you have to use a 'dummy' pronoun first. The preposition með (by/with) requires the dative case here, changing the pronoun það (it) into því. The infinitive marker að then introduces the verb vinna (to work). Together, this creates the English equivalent of 'by working'.

Question 2

If I wanted to say 'without working a lot', how would I change this sentence?

Accepted Answer

You would replace með því að with the phrase án þess að (without doing). The preposition án (without) takes the genitive case instead of the dative, which is why the dummy pronoun það changes to its genitive form, þess. The new sentence would be: Hún afrekar markmiðið án þess að vinna mikið.

Question 3

Why does the word markmiðið have -ið at the end, and what case is it in?

Accepted Answer

The base noun is markmið (goal), which is a neuter word. The -ið suffix is the attached definite article, making it 'the goal'. It is in the accusative case here because it is the direct object receiving the action of the verb afreka (to accomplish). Because it is a neuter word, its accusative form looks exactly the same as its nominative dictionary form.

Question 4

Why do we use mikið here to mean working 'hard'?

Accepted Answer

While English speakers often say they work 'hard', Icelanders usually express this by saying they work 'a lot' or 'much'. The word mikið is the adverb form used here to describe the extent of the verb vinna.

Hún afrekar markmiðið með því að vinna mikið.

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