Breakdown of Við náðum tindinum þrátt fyrir mótvindinn.
við
we
ná
to reach, to catch (ná + dative)
þrátt fyrir
despite (+ Accusative)
tindurinn
the peak
mótvindurinn
the headwind
Questions & Answers about Við náðum tindinum þrátt fyrir mótvindinn.
Why does þrátt fyrir take the accusative case in mótvindinn?
The compound preposition þrátt fyrir (despite) always governs the accusative case. This makes it easier to remember than the preposition fyrir on its own, which can take either the accusative or dative depending on whether the context implies movement or location. With þrátt fyrir, the following noun is strictly accusative.
Why is tindinum in the dative case when it receives the action?
The verb ná (to reach, to achieve) is one of the Icelandic verbs that strictly govern the dative case for their objects. The masculine noun tindur (peak) takes its dative form tindi, and when you add the dative definite article suffix, it becomes tindinum.
How is the word mótvindinn broken down grammatically?
It is a compound of the prefix mót- (against or counter) and the masculine noun vindur (wind). Because it must be in the accusative case after þrátt fyrir, the base noun drops its -ur ending to become mótvind. Finally, the accusative masculine definite article suffix -inn is added to the end, giving us mótvindinn (the headwind).
What is the tense and infinitive of náðum?
It is the past tense of the verb ná (to reach). Ná is a weak verb, meaning it forms its past tense with a consonant suffix rather than a vowel change. The past stem is náð-, and the -um ending indicates the first-person plural.
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