Question 1

How is the verb dýpkað formed, and what adjective does it come from?

Accepted Answer

It comes from the adjective djúpur (deep). To create a verb meaning "to make deep" or "to deepen", we add the -ka suffix. When this suffix is added to create these change-of-state verbs, the root vowel often shifts. That is why the jú in djúpur changes to ý, giving us the base verb dýpka.

Question 2

Why is the verb form dýpkað used here instead of the infinitive dýpka?

Accepted Answer

Because it follows gætir, which is a form of the verb geta (can/to be able to). The verb geta is unique because it must always be followed by the supine form of the main verb (which is identical to the neuter past participle), never the infinitive. For verbs ending in -ka, the supine form always ends in -að.

Question 3

What exactly is the word gætirðu made of?

Accepted Answer

It is a merged form of gætir (a polite "could", which is the past subjunctive of geta) and the pronoun þú (you). When you invert the verb and pronoun to ask a question, þú often attaches to the end of the verb and transforms into -ðu (or sometimes -tu or -du depending on the preceding sound).

Question 4

Why does the sentence end with hann (him) when the English translation says "it"?

Accepted Answer

In Icelandic, pronouns must match the grammatical gender of the noun they replace, even for inanimate objects. Since diskur (plate) is a masculine noun, you must use the masculine accusative pronoun hann to say "it", rather than defaulting to the neuter pronoun það.

Diskurinn er grunnur, gætirðu dýpkað hann?

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