Breakdown of Mannúðin skiptir máli í sérhverju hjálparstarfi.
í
in / into / to (before the hour, in telling time) / per (in frequency expressions)
málið
the matter, the case
skipta
to matter (skipta máli)
sérhver
every single
mannúðin
the humanity
hjálparstarfið
the relief work
Questions & Answers about Mannúðin skiptir máli í sérhverju hjálparstarfi.
Why is sérhverju in the dative case here?
It is governed by the preposition í. While í can take the accusative for movement, it takes the dative case when indicating an abstract setting or state, like being involved in relief work. Because the noun hjálparstarfi (relief work) is neuter dative, the pronoun must agree, becoming sérhverju.
How do we decline sérhver to get the form sérhverju?
Why is máli in the dative case?
It is part of the fixed idiom skipta máli, which means to matter or to be important. The verb skipta governs the dative case for its object in this phrase, so the neuter noun mál (matter/issue) becomes máli.
Why does the sentence use the definite form Mannúðin when the English translation just says Humanity?
In Icelandic, abstract nouns like mannúð (humanity), ást (love), or líf (life) generally take the definite article when you are talking about them as broad, universal concepts. English drops the article in these cases, but Icelandic requires it.
Learn Mannúðin skiptir máli í sérhverju hjálparstarfi 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