Breakdown of Þessi tölvuleikur er skemmtilegur, en strákurinn fær ekki að vaka lengur.
vera
to be
en
but
strákurinn
the boy
ekki
not
skemmtilegur
fun
að
to (infinitive marker)
fá
to get
þessi
this (m/f)
lengur
longer
tölvuleikurinn
the computer game
vaka
to stay up
Questions & Answers about Þessi tölvuleikur er skemmtilegur, en strákurinn fær ekki að vaka lengur.
How does the phrase fær ekki að vaka show permission?
The verb fá normally means to get or to receive. When combined with að and an infinitive verb, it acts as an auxiliary verb meaning to be allowed to or to get to do something. In this sentence, fær + ekki + að vaka means the boy does not have permission to stay awake.
Why is ekki placed right after fær?
In a standard Icelandic main clause, the negation word ekki must immediately follow the conjugated verb. Here, fær is the conjugated verb, so ekki steps in right behind it, separating it from the infinitive phrase að vaka.
Why use the word lengur for longer instead of an adjective like lengri?
We use lengur because it is the comparative form of the adverb lengi (for a long time). It describes the verb vaka, meaning staying awake for a longer time. You would use the adjective lengri to describe the physical length of a noun, like a longer rope or a longer game.
Why do both Þessi and skemmtilegur have these specific endings?
They are modifying the noun tölvuleikur (computer game), which is masculine. Both the word for this (þessi) and the word for fun (skemmtilegur) must be in the masculine nominative singular form to match it.
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