Learn Icelandic: Við eigum að skipta eigninni jafnt milli erfingjanna. - We have to divide the property equally between the heirs.

Við eigum að skipta eigninni jafnt milli erfingjanna.

We have to divide the property equally between the heirs.

Breakdown of Við eigum að skipta eigninni jafnt milli erfingjanna.

Questions & Answers about Við eigum að skipta eigninni jafnt milli erfingjanna.

Why is eigninni in the dative case?

The verb skipta (to divide or share) governs the dative case for the thing being divided. Therefore, the feminine noun eign (property) takes its definite dative form, eigninni.

Since the current lesson covers helmingur (a half), how would I say "divide the property in half" instead?

You could say skipta eigninni í tvennt (divide into two) or skipta eigninni í tvo helminga (divide into two halves). The phrase in this sentence, skipta jafnt (divide equally), is broader and works perfectly no matter how many heirs there are.

Is jafnt an adjective or an adverb here?

It acts as an adverb here, meaning "equally". It is built from the neuter singular form of the adjective jafn (equal). When discussing proportions, you will often see it paired with verbs like skipta to describe splitting something into equal parts.

What case is erfingjanna, and why?

It is in the genitive case because the preposition milli (between/among) always requires it. Erfingjanna is the definite, plural, genitive form of the weak masculine noun erfingi (heir).

Could I use á milli instead of just in this sentence?