Breakdown of Þegar við spiluðum borðtennisinn stóð hann öðru megin við netið.
hann
he
spila
to play
standa
to stand
annar
other, another; second
þegar
when
við
at / by (next to)
megin
side (in spatial phrases)
borðtennisinn
the table tennis (m)
netið
the net (in a game)
Questions & Answers about Þegar við spiluðum borðtennisinn stóð hann öðru megin við netið.
The lesson mentions öðru megin can govern the genitive case or a preposition. Why does this sentence use the preposition við?
While you could use the genitive here (öðru megin netsins), it often sounds formal or literary. In everyday spoken Icelandic, using the preposition við followed by the accusative case (við netið) is the most natural way to say on one side of a physical dividing line like a net, a street, or a wall.
Why is the definite article used for table tennis (borðtennisinn)? We normally just say við spilum borðtennis without the article.
You are exactly right for general statements. However, when referring to a specific, ongoing match or a game that both speakers are already familiar with, Icelandic attaches the definite article. It translates more closely to when we played that particular game of table tennis.
Why is the word order stóð hann instead of hann stóð?
This is a classic example of the V2 (verb-second) rule. The entire subordinate clause (Þegar við spiluðum borðtennisinn) counts as the first block of information in the sentence. The main verb (stóð) must occupy the second position, forcing the subject (hann) to swap places and come immediately after it.
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