Breakdown of Þau létu sérsmíða nýju innréttinguna í eldhúsið.
nýr
new
þau
they (n)
í
in / into / to (before the hour, in telling time) / per (in frequency expressions)
eldhúsið
the kitchen
láta
to let
sérsmíða
to custom-build
innréttingin
the cabinetry
Questions & Answers about Þau létu sérsmíða nýju innréttinguna í eldhúsið.
Why is sérsmíða in the active infinitive form when the English translation uses the passive "custom-built"?
In Icelandic, the causative passive construction uses láta plus an active infinitive verb, not a past participle like English does. You literally say they "let custom-build" the cabinetry, which means they "had it custom-built."
Does the infinitive always come before the object in this láta construction?
Yes, usually. Unlike English, where we put the object in the middle ("had [the cabinetry] [built]"), Icelandic normally keeps the verbs together. The conjugated form of láta is immediately followed by the infinitive (sérsmíða), and the object (nýju innréttinguna) comes after.
How does the word sérsmíða break down?
Why is í eldhúsið in the accusative case here instead of the dative?
The preposition í governs the accusative when it implies direction, destination, or purpose (into or for the kitchen). If it were in the dative (í eldhúsinu), it would mean the actual manufacturing process physically took place inside the kitchen, rather than the cabinets being destined for it.
Why is the adjective nýju used here instead of nýja?
Because it modifies a definite noun. Innréttinguna is the accusative feminine singular form of innrétting with the definite article attached. In Icelandic, whenever an adjective modifies a definite noun, it must use its weak declension, which is nýju for this gender and case.
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