Breakdown of Gefðu gestunum kjúklinginn fyrst.
þú
you
gesturinn
the guest (m)
gefa
to give
fyrst
first (adverb)
kjúklingurinn
the chicken
Questions & Answers about Gefðu gestunum kjúklinginn fyrst.
Why is the pronoun þú missing, and why does the verb end in -ðu?
This is the imperative (command) form of gefa (to give). In Icelandic commands, the pronoun þú (you) usually attaches directly to the end of the verb. Because the verb stem gef ends with a voiced sound, the þ softens to ð, making it gefðu rather than gef þú.
Why is gestunum in the dative case while kjúklinginn is in the accusative case?
The verb gefa (to give) dictates the cases of its two objects. The recipient (the indirect object, here gestunum) takes the dative case. The thing being given (the direct object, here kjúklinginn) takes the accusative case. This pattern is very consistent for verbs of giving in Icelandic.
How are the definite articles attached to gestunum and kjúklinginn?
Icelandic attaches the definite article (the equivalent of the word the) to the end of the noun. For the dative plural noun gestum, we add -num to get gestunum. For the accusative singular masculine noun kjúkling, we add -inn to get kjúklinginn.
Does kjúklingur refer to the live bird or the prepared meat?
Just like the English word chicken, kjúklingur can refer to both the live animal and the meat. Here, the context of serving it to guests tells us it refers to the food.
Learn Gefðu gestunum kjúklinginn fyrst 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