Question 1

Why doesn't the title have the definite article here (Pál lýsanda instead of Pál lýsandann)?

Accepted Answer

In Icelandic, when a title or profession directly follows a person's name as an apposition, it typically takes the indefinite form, even though English uses 'the'. So 'Páll the commentator' translates simply as Páll lýsandi, which shifts to the accusative Pál lýsanda here.

Question 2

Why are both Pál and lýsanda in the accusative case?

Accepted Answer

The phrasal verb hlusta á (to listen to) dictates that its object must be in the accusative case. Because lýsanda is an apposition renaming the noun right beside it, it has to perfectly match the case of the name it describes, Pál.

Question 3

What kind of noun is lýsandi, and why does it end in -a here?

Accepted Answer

Lýsandi (commentator/announcer) is a weak masculine noun derived from the present participle of the verb lýsa (to describe). Like most weak masculine nouns that end in -i in the nominative case, it changes its ending to -a in the accusative, dative, and genitive cases.

Question 4

Why does the sentence use the masculine plural Þeir sem to mean 'Those who'?

Accepted Answer

Þeir sem is the traditional, standard way to say 'Those who' when referring to a general group of people of unknown or mixed gender. Because the masculine pronoun Þeir is the subject of the main clause, the adjective at the end of the sentence must also be in the masculine plural form, ánægðir.

Þeir sem hlusta á Pál lýsanda eru mjög ánægðir.

Breakdown of Þeir sem hlusta á Pál lýsanda eru mjög ánægðir.

Questions & Answers about Þeir sem hlusta á Pál lýsanda eru mjög ánægðir.

Learn Þeir sem hlusta á Pál lýsanda eru mjög ánægðir and more in Icelandic