Breakdown of Systirin fær líka þriðjung af arfinum.
systirin
the sister
fá
to get
líka
also
af
of (in quantity expressions)
arfurinn
the inheritance
þriðjungurinn
the third
Questions & Answers about Systirin fær líka þriðjung af arfinum.
How is the word for 'a third' (þriðjung) formed, and why is it in this form here?
Þriðjung is the accusative form of the masculine noun þriðjungur (a third). It is accusative because it is the direct object of the verb fær (gets). Icelandic creates these fraction nouns by combining the ordinal number, like þriðji (third), with the suffix -ungur.
Why do we use the preposition af to say 'of the inheritance' instead of just using the genitive case?
When talking about a fraction or proportion of a specific whole, Icelandic commonly uses the preposition af followed by the dative case, rather than the genitive case. So, 'a third of the inheritance' translates directly to þriðjungur af arfinum.
Let's break down the word arfinum. What case is it in and why?
It is in the dative case because it follows the preposition af. The base noun is the masculine word arfur (inheritance). Its dative form is arfi, and when we attach the definite article -num ('the'), it becomes arfinum.
I often mix up the forms of the verb fá (to get). Why is it fær here?
Fá is a highly irregular verb. Since the subject is systirin (the sister, which is 'she'), we need the third-person singular present tense form, which is fær. For a quick refresher, the singular forms are: ég fæ, þú færð, hún fær.
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