Breakdown of Lögreglan áætlar að rúmlega tuttugu þúsund manns séu á svæðinu.
vera
to be
á
onto / on / in (static location) / on (a day of the week)
að
that (conjunction)
tuttugu
twenty
lögreglan
the police
svæðið
the area
þúsund
thousand
manns
people (for counting)
áætla
to estimate
rúmlega
well over
Questions & Answers about Lögreglan áætlar að rúmlega tuttugu þúsund manns séu á svæðinu.
Why do we use the singular genitive manns here instead of a plural word for people?
When stating a quantity of people, especially with large numbers like thousands, Icelandic uses the invariable partitive genitive manns. Even though it is literally the singular form meaning of a person, it functions as a fixed way to say people after a quantity. You wouldn't use the plural menn or manna in this context.
If manns is grammatically singular, why is the verb séu in the plural?
While the word manns itself is singular in form, the actual subject of the clause is the whole numerical phrase tuttugu þúsund manns. Because twenty thousand is a plural quantity, the verb agrees with the plural meaning and takes the plural form séu.
Why is the verb séu in the subjunctive mood rather than the indicative eru?
The main verb áætla (to estimate) triggers the subjunctive in the subordinate að-clause. This is very common with verbs of thinking, guessing, or reporting indirect speech, as it marks the information as someone's subjective assessment rather than a stated absolute fact.
How does the word rúmlega work with numbers here?
Rúmlega is an adverb meaning amply or well over. It is the most natural and common way in Icelandic to say a bit more than before numbers and measurements. While you could technically say meira en, rúmlega is the standard choice for estimates.
Learn Lögreglan áætlar að rúmlega tuttugu þúsund manns séu á svæðinu 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