Log inSign up

Leirinn mjókkar hérna, en botninn breikkar.

Leirinn mjókkar hérna, en botninn breikkar.
The clay narrows here, but the bottom widens.
From Lesson 303:Verbs from adjectives (-ka)·Icelandic

Questions & Answers about Leirinn mjókkar hérna, en botninn breikkar.

How are the verbs mjókkar and breikkar formed from adjectives?
They are created using the -ka suffix, which turns an adjective into a verb meaning "to become [adjective]" or "to make [adjective]". Mjókka (narrows) comes from the adjective mjór (narrow), and breikka (widens) comes from breiður (broad/wide).
Why do mjókka and breikka have a double -kk- if the suffix is just -ka?
When adding the -ka suffix to create these verbs, the spelling often adjusts to keep the pronunciation natural. If the root adjective's stem ends in a vowel (like mjó-r) or if a consonant like -ð- is dropped (as in breið-ur), the suffix usually strengthens into a double -kka.
Are mjókka and breikka only used when things change shape on their own?
Not at all! A great feature of these -ka verbs is that they can be used both intransitively (happening on its own, like "the bottom widens" in this sentence) and transitively (someone doing the action to an object). You could use the exact same verb to say "I widen the bottom" (Ég breikka botninn).
What exactly does leirinn refer to in a geographic context like this?
While leir translates directly to "clay" (including modeling clay), in Icelandic landscapes it frequently refers to a mudflat, a tidal flat, or a muddy riverbed. Given the words "narrows" and "widens," this sentence is describing the physical shape of that muddy geographic feature.

Learn Leirinn mjókkar hérna, en botninn breikkar and more in Icelandic

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning Icelandic →