Breakdown of Við eigum að fá þriggja mínútna pásu og tveggja tíma svefn.
og
and
við
we
tveir
two
þrír
three
mínútan
the minute (f)
tíminn
the time / the class (m) / the hour
fá
to get
eiga að
to be supposed to
svefninn
the sleep
pásan
the break
Questions & Answers about Við eigum að fá þriggja mínútna pásu og tveggja tíma svefn.
Why do we use the genitive forms þriggja and tveggja here?
When expressing measurements like a 'three-minute' break or 'two-hour' sleep, Icelandic uses the genitive case to link the measurement to the noun. It works like saying 'a break of three minutes'. Since the numbers 1 to 4 change form based on case, we must use their genitive forms: þriggja (three) and tveggja (two).
Are the words mínútna and tíma also in the genitive case?
Why are pásu and svefn in the accusative case instead of the genitive?
They are the direct objects of the verb fá (to get), which always takes the accusative case. The genitive phrases þriggja mínútna and tveggja tíma just act as descriptions attached to these main nouns. They do not override the accusative case demanded by the verb.
Could we use þurfum að fá instead of eigum að fá in this sentence?
You could, but it changes the meaning slightly. Eiga að means 'to be supposed to', implying this break is on an official schedule or agreed upon. Þurfa að means 'to need to', which sounds more like a physical or personal requirement than a set plan.
Learn Við eigum að fá þriggja mínútna pásu og tveggja tíma svefn 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