Learn Icelandic: Fundurinn var alveg tilgangslaus. - The meeting was completely pointless.

Fundurinn var alveg tilgangslaus.

The meeting was completely pointless.

Breakdown of Fundurinn var alveg tilgangslaus.

Questions & Answers about Fundurinn var alveg tilgangslaus.

How is the word tilgangslaus formed, and why is there an 's' in the middle?

It is built from the noun tilgangur (purpose) and the suffix -laus (-less or without). When adding -laus, Icelandic typically uses the genitive (possessive) case of the base noun. The genitive of tilgangur is tilgangs, so they combine to form tilgangslaus.

Does the suffix -laus change its ending depending on the noun?

Yes, adjectives ending in -laus must decline to agree with the noun's gender, number, and case, just like regular adjectives. Here, tilgangslaus is masculine singular nominative to match fundurinn. If the noun were neuter, like bréfið (the letter), it would become tilgangslaust.

Why use alveg (completely) instead of mjög (very) here?

Adjectives that describe an absolute state, like being entirely without a purpose, pair much better with alveg (completely) than mjög (very) in Icelandic. It sounds much more natural to say a meeting was completely pointless rather than very pointless.

What is the base form of the word fundurinn?

The base noun is fundur, a masculine word meaning a meeting. The -inn is the attached definite article, making it "the meeting". It is in the nominative case here because it is the subject of the sentence.