Breakdown of Konan lætur snyrtifræðinginn mála neglurnar.
konan
the woman
mála
to paint
láta
to let
snyrtifræðingurinn
the beautician
nöglin
the nail (finger or toe)
Questions & Answers about Konan lætur snyrtifræðinginn mála neglurnar.
Why is snyrtifræðinginn in the accusative case?
Because of the verb láta (here conjugated as lætur). In this causative construction, láta takes an accusative object for the person who is being made or allowed to do the action. So the nominative snyrtifræðingurinn becomes the accusative snyrtifræðinginn.
Could lætur also mean 'makes' in this sentence?
Yes! The verb láta can mean 'let' (allow), 'make' (force), or 'have' (arrange for). In this context, it most likely translates to 'has': The woman has the beautician paint her nails. You rely on context to know if it implies permission, force, or simply arranging a service.
Why is neglurnar also in the accusative case?
While láta controls the case of the beautician, the infinitive verb mála (to paint) controls the case of the nails. Because mála takes a direct object in the accusative case, neglurnar is accusative.
Why does the Icelandic sentence say neglurnar (the nails) instead of using a word for 'her'?
In Icelandic, it is standard to use the definite article (the suffix -nar in this case) instead of a possessive pronoun when talking about body parts, clothing, or personal items, as long as the context makes it obvious whose they are.
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