Breakdown of Hvert fara þau? Fara þau í sömu áttina?
þau
they (n)
fara
to go
í
in / into / to (before the hour, in telling time) / per (in frequency expressions)
hvert
where to (motion)
sami
the same (masculine, sister forms: sama, sömu)
áttin
the direction
Questions & Answers about Hvert fara þau? Fara þau í sömu áttina?
Why does áttina have a definite article at the end if we already say sömu (the same)?
In Icelandic, the word for "the same" (sami) requires the noun that follows it to take the definite article. It feels a bit like saying "in same the-direction" in English. This is a strict rule when using sami with specific nouns.
Why is the word for "same" spelled sömu here instead of sama?
Sami always uses "weak" declension, meaning it takes a specific set of adjective endings. The noun it describes, átt (direction), is feminine. Because the sentence describes motion, the preposition í forces the noun into the accusative case. The weak, feminine, accusative form of sami is sömu.
Why does the first question start with Hvert instead of Hvar?
You use hvert when asking about motion towards a destination (where to). Since the sentence asks where they are going (fara), hvert is required. You would use hvar to ask where something currently is without any movement.
How does the ending -ina work on áttina?
Átt is a feminine noun. In the accusative case, the base word doesn't change from its dictionary form (átt). However, when you attach the definite article suffix for a feminine accusative noun, you add -ina, giving us áttina.
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