Breakdown of Hún hefur keypt þrennar sokkabuxur.
hún
she
kaupa
to buy
hafa
to have
þrennir
three pairs of / three (distributive)
sokkabuxurnar
the tights
Questions & Answers about Hún hefur keypt þrennar sokkabuxur.
Why do we use þrennar instead of the normal word for three (þrjár)?
Because sokkabuxur (tights) is a plural-only noun, meaning it is always grammatically plural even when talking about a single pair (just like the English words tights or pants). When counting these types of nouns in Icelandic, we must use the special distributive numbers einir, tvennir, þrennir, and fernir for 1 to 4.
How do I know which ending to put on the distributive number here?
Just like regular adjectives, the distributive number has to match the noun in gender and case. Sokkabuxur is a feminine noun, and it is in the accusative case here because it is the direct object being bought. The feminine accusative form of the distributive number three is þrennar.
Does sokkabuxur have a singular form?
No, it only exists in the plural. It is a compound word made of sokkar (socks) and buxur (pants or trousers). Since buxur is always plural, the compound word is always plural too.
Why is the verb keypt rather than keypti?
This sentence is in the present perfect tense (has bought), which is formed using the helper verb hafa (here as hefur) plus the supine form of the main verb. Keypt is the supine form of kaupa (to buy), whereas keypti is the simple past tense (bought).
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