Learn Icelandic: Ég er þreyttur; hins vegar ætla ég að klára verkefnið. - I am tired; on the other hand I am going to finish the project.

Ég er þreyttur; hins vegar ætla ég að klára verkefnið.

I am tired; on the other hand I am going to finish the project.

Breakdown of Ég er þreyttur; hins vegar ætla ég að klára verkefnið.

to (infinitive marker)

Questions & Answers about Ég er þreyttur; hins vegar ætla ég að klára verkefnið.

Why does the second part say ætla ég instead of ég ætla?

This is because of the V2 (verb-second) rule. In Icelandic, the main verb must usually be the second core element in a clause. Because the second clause starts with the linking phrase hins vegar (on the other hand), the verb ætla has to come right after it, pushing the subject ég to the third spot.

If a woman were saying this sentence, would þreyttur change?

Yes. The word þreyttur (tired) is an adjective in the masculine form, meaning a man is speaking here. If a woman were speaking, she would drop the masculine ending and use the feminine form, saying Ég er þreytt.

What exactly does hins vegar mean and how is it built?

It is a very common phrase that translates to however or on the other hand. It literally means the other way (hinn meaning the other and vegur meaning way). It is an excellent transition phrase to learn at this level for connecting two contrasting ideas naturally.

Why is there an að before klára?

The verb ætla (to intend / to be going to) requires the word að before the next verb in its dictionary form (the infinitive). Just like in English where you say going to finish, in Icelandic you say ætla að klára.

What is the base word for ?