Word
Í stuttu máli er þetta nýtt sprotafyrirtæki.
Meaning
In short, this is a new startup.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Breakdown of Í stuttu máli er þetta nýtt sprotafyrirtæki.
þetta
this
vera
to be
nýr
new
í stuttu máli
in short
Questions & Answers about Í stuttu máli er þetta nýtt sprotafyrirtæki.
Why is the verb er placed right after í stuttu máli?
This is the V2 (verb-second) rule in action. Because the sentence starts with the adverbial phrase í stuttu máli, the verb er must immediately follow it to remain in the second logical slot, pushing the subject þetta to the third position.
Could I place í stuttu máli somewhere else in the sentence?
Yes, you could place it after the verb for a parenthetical feel: Þetta er, í stuttu máli, nýtt sprotafyrirtæki. However, putting it at the very beginning is the most natural and common way to signal that you are summarizing a point.
Why is the phrase exactly stuttu máli instead of stutt mál?
The preposition í governs the dative case in this fixed expression. Mál is a neuter noun, so its dative form is máli. The adjective stuttur (short) must agree with it, taking the dative neuter singular form stuttu.
What is the literal translation of the compound word sprotafyrirtæki?
It literally means sprout company. It is made up of sproti (a sprout or shoot) and fyrirtæki (company). It is the standard Icelandic term for a startup business.