Learn Icelandic: Flugfreyjan horfir á miðjusætið. - The flight attendant f looks at the middle seat.

While við is used for being physically located "by" or "at" a place (like sitting at a desk), the verb horfa (to look) is a set phrase that always pairs with á to mean "look at" a target.

Why is miðjusætið in the accusative case here?

The preposition á triggers the accusative case when it indicates directed action or motion, such as directing your gaze towards the seat. Because sæti is a neuter word, its accusative form looks exactly the same as its nominative (dictionary) form.

How do the pieces fit together to make the word miðjusætið?

It is a compound of the noun miðja (center/middle) and sæti (seat). To connect them, the first word changes to its combining form miðju, creating miðjusæti. Finally, the neuter definite article -ð (the) is attached to the end.

What is the literal translation of flugfreyjan?

It translates literally to "the flight lady" or "the flight goddess". It combines flug (flight) with freyja (lady/goddess) and the feminine "the" ending -n. If the flight attendant is male, the word flugþjónn (flight steward) is used instead.