Learn Icelandic: Ég óska þér innilegrar gleði og góðs gengis.

The verb óska (to wish) is a ditransitive verb that governs the dative case for the receiver of the wish (the indirect object, þér) and the genitive case for the thing being wished for (the direct objects, gleði and gengis).

How can we tell that gleði is in the genitive case here?

Gleði is a feminine noun that ends in -i in all four cases in the singular. We know it is genitive here because of the adjective attached to it: innilegrar shows the standard feminine genitive singular ending -rar.

Why does the adjective góðs end in -s?

It must agree with the noun gengis, which is the genitive singular form of the neuter noun gengi (success or fortune). The neuter genitive singular ending for strong adjectives is -s.

Is óska einhverjum góðs gengis a common set phrase?

Yes! While you can wish someone many different things, að óska einhverjum góðs gengis (to wish someone good luck or success) is one of the most frequent expressions you will hear when someone is starting a new job, taking an exam, or facing a challenge.