Question 1

The current lesson uses neuter adjectives after það var (like það var flókið að...). Why is the adjective flókin feminine here instead of neuter?

Accepted Answer

This sentence uses a "cleft" structure to emphasize a specific noun, rather than introducing a delayed action (like an infinitive). The adjective flókin describes the feminine noun þýðingin (the translation) in the second half of the sentence. It does not describe the dummy pronoun það, so it must be feminine to match the noun it actually modifies.

Question 2

Why use Það var þýðingin sem... instead of just saying Þýðingin var flókin?

Accepted Answer

Just like in English ("It was the translation that..."), this structure is used for emphasis. It singles out the translation as the specific thing that was complicated, strongly implying that other things (perhaps the original text or the speaking exercise) were not.

Question 3

Could we use að instead of sem to mean "that" in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

No. While að means "that" when introducing a statement or fact (like "I know that it is cold"), sem is a relative pronoun. You must use sem when "that", "who", or "which" refers back to a specific noun—in this case, connecting þýðingin to the clause describing it.

Question 4

Grammatically, what is the exact subject of the second var?

Accepted Answer

The relative particle sem acts as the subject for the second half of the sentence. Because sem stands in for the feminine singular noun þýðingin, the verb var and the adjective flókin behave exactly as if þýðingin were sitting right there.

Það var þýðingin sem var flókin.

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