Breakdown of Glæpamaðurinn fær reynslulausnina þann ellefta maí.
fá
to get
glæpamaðurinn
the criminal
maí
May
sá
that (sá, sú, það; þann)
Questions & Answers about Glæpamaðurinn fær reynslulausnina þann ellefta maí.
Why do we use the accusative case for þann ellefta maí?
When a calendar date tells us when a specific event happens, the entire date phrase is put into the accusative case. This acts as a time expression meaning 'on the eleventh of May'. The accusative is triggered by the time expression itself, not by the verb fá.
Why does the ordinal number ellefta end in -a here?
Ordinal numbers from third onwards always use the weak declension. Because the months of the year are masculine nouns, the ordinal describing them must also be masculine. In the weak declension, the masculine accusative ending is always -a, which gives us ellefta.
Why do we use the word þann before the date?
To say 'the' before a calendar date, Icelandic uses the demonstrative pronoun sá rather than a regular attached definite article. Because the date is in the masculine accusative case, sá changes to þann. You will use this exact pattern (þann + weak ordinal + month) for all specific calendar dates.
How is the word reynslulausnina built?
It is a compound of the nouns reynsla (experience or trial) and lausn (release, solution, or discharge). A trial release is the Icelandic term for parole. The -ina at the very end is the feminine accusative definite article, making it 'the parole'.