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Questions & Answers about Ekki snerta botninn.
Why is the verb snerta in the infinitive instead of a command form like snertu?
This sentence uses the standard Icelandic way to give a negative command or prohibition: ekki followed by a bare infinitive. While you could technically say snertu ekki, using ekki + infinitive is much more common and natural for negative commands.
Where did the word að go before the infinitive snerta?
In this specific negative command structure, you must use the bare infinitive. This means the infinitive marker að (to) is strictly dropped. You say ekki snerta, never ekki að snerta.
Does this phrase change if I am speaking to multiple people instead of just one?
No, it stays exactly the same. Because this structure uses the infinitive verb (snerta) rather than a conjugated imperative form, ekki snerta botninn works for anyone, whether you are warning one person, a group, or putting up a general warning sign.
What case does the verb snerta force on the object botninn?
The verb snerta (to touch) takes its object in the accusative case. For the masculine word botn (bottom), the nominative and accusative forms are identical. When you add the attached definite article to mean the bottom, it becomes botninn.