Question 1

How is the adjective norrænn formed and what does the -rænn suffix do here?

Accepted Answer

The suffix -rænn forms adjectives related to direction, origin, or nature. It is attached to the root for north (norður) to create norrænn, meaning Nordic or Norse. It is in the masculine, nominative, singular form here to agree with guð.

Question 2

Why is the preposition á stranded at the very end of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Just like in English, Icelandic often leaves prepositions at the end of relative clauses. The phrasal verb is trúa á (to believe in). Because the object it refers to is represented by the relative word sem at the start of the clause, á gets left at the end: ...sem við trúum á (...that we believe in).

Question 3

Does the preposition á still govern a case even though it is at the end of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes, trúa á always governs the accusative case. You do not see an accusative ending in this sentence because the relative particle sem never changes for case. However, if you rephrased it as a simple non-relative sentence, you would see the change on the noun phrase: Við trúum á norrænan guð (We believe in a Nordic god).

Question 4

Why does the sentence start with Það er instead of just introducing the noun directly?

Accepted Answer

Here, það acts as a dummy subject, exactly like 'There' in the English phrase 'There is...'. Icelandic uses this structure to introduce a new, indefinite subject into a sentence. Because norrænn guð is indefinite (a god, not the god), það er is the natural way to present it to the listener.

Það er norrænn guð sem við trúum á.

Breakdown of Það er norrænn guð sem við trúum á.

Questions & Answers about Það er norrænn guð sem við trúum á.

Learn Það er norrænn guð sem við trúum á and more in Icelandic