Questions & Answers about Hvað bragðast svona illa?
Why does the verb bragðast end in -st?
This is the middle voice. While the regular verb bragða means to actively taste something (like tasting soup to check the seasoning), adding -st creates bragðast, which means to possess a taste or "to taste" from the perspective of the food itself.
Why is the word for "bad" here illa instead of the neuter adjective illt?
The current lesson is about the pronouns eitthvað (something) and ekkert (nothing). How do they compare to hvað in this sentence?
Could I use svo instead of svona here?
Yes, you could say svo illa, but svona is very natural here. While both can translate to "so," svona often implies "this way" or "like this." It perfectly fits a situation where you are actively experiencing a bad taste right in front of you and reacting to it.