Breakdown of Við göngum að endanum með hundinum okkar.
hundurinn
the dog
við
we
ganga
to walk
með
with
okkar
our
að
to, towards
endinn
the end
Questions & Answers about Við göngum að endanum með hundinum okkar.
Why is endanum in the dative case here?
The preposition að requires the dative case when showing motion towards a specific boundary, target, or limit. Since we are walking to the "end" (our target boundary), the word takes the dative form.
How exactly is the word endanum formed?
The base word is endi, which is a weak masculine noun. In the dative case, it becomes enda. To say "the end", we add the dative masculine definite article -num, combining to make endanum.
We previously learned that með can take the accusative case. Why is hundinum in the dative case here?
The preposition með takes the dative case when it means "together with" a person or creature, or when using something as an instrument. Because you are walking along with your dog, með triggers the dative case, turning hundur into hundi (and hundinum with the article).
Why does okkar come after the noun, and why doesn't it change to match the dative case?
In Icelandic, possessive words normally come right after the noun, and that noun usually takes the definite article (literally "the dog our"). While most possessives change to match the noun's case and gender, okkar is just the genitive form of við (we) and is invariable, meaning its spelling never changes no matter what noun it describes.
Learn Við göngum að endanum með hundinum okkar 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