Question 1

Why use "við" here instead of "hjá" if they both can mean "by" or "next to"?

Accepted Answer

While hjá implies being in the general vicinity of something (or near a person), við is used for very close proximity, attachment, or functional positioning. You sit við gluggann (right up against the window) or við borðið (at the table) because you are placed deliberately and closely at that specific boundary or object.

Question 2

Since the man is sitting still, shouldn't the preposition take the dative case for location?

Accepted Answer

This is a very common trap! You likely remember that prepositions like í (in) and á (on) use the dative for staying still and the accusative for movement. However, við does not follow this "movement vs. stillness" rule. When við means "by" or "at" a physical location, it almost always takes the accusative case, regardless of whether there is motion or not.

Question 3

How do we get "gluggann" from the dictionary form of the word for "window"?

Accepted Answer

The dictionary form is gluggi, which is a weak masculine noun (meaning it ends in a vowel). Because við forces it into the accusative case, the ending changes to an 'a', becoming glugga. To say "the" window, we attach the masculine accusative definite article -nn, resulting in gluggann.

Question 4

Why doesn't the verb "vill" have a regular third-person ending?

Accepted Answer

The infinitive is vilja (to want). It is a highly irregular verb that functions similarly to a modal verb, meaning its singular present tense forms are completely unique and don't use standard endings. Instead of adding an ending, the stem itself changes for he/she/it, giving us just vill.

Maðurinn vill sitja við gluggann.

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