Breakdown of Ekki vera að snerta listaverkið, vinsamlegast.
vera
to be
ekki
not
að
to (infinitive marker)
vinsamlegast
please
snerta
to touch
listaverkið
the artwork
Questions & Answers about Ekki vera að snerta listaverkið, vinsamlegast.
Why does this use ekki vera að snerta instead of just ekki snerta?
The structure ekki vera að followed by an infinitive is used to tell someone to stop doing something they are already doing. While ekki snerta means 'do not touch' as a general rule before an action happens, this continuous form specifically means 'stop touching' because the person has already started.
Why is listaverkið in the accusative case here?
The verb snerta (to touch) requires its object to be in the accusative case. Because listaverk (artwork) is a neuter noun, its nominative and accusative forms look exactly the same. The -ið suffix at the end is the attached definite article, making it 'the artwork'.
How does the negative command work here with the verb vera?
To form a general negative command in Icelandic, you can simply use ekki followed by the infinitive of the verb, which is vera here. You do not need to conjugate it into an imperative form like vertu. So 'do not be' translates directly to ekki vera.
Is vinsamlegast the most natural way to add 'please' to this sentence?
Yes, in a public or slightly formal setting like an art gallery, vinsamlegast is the standard way to say 'please' when making a firm but polite request. In everyday casual speech with friends, Icelanders might instead soften their tone or use phrases like gjörðu svo vel.
Learn Ekki vera að snerta listaverkið, vinsamlegast 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