Breakdown of Þú þarft að fjarlægja gamla vaskinn.
þú
you
gamall
old
þurfa
to need
vaskurinn
the sink
fjarlægja
to remove
Questions & Answers about Þú þarft að fjarlægja gamla vaskinn.
Why do we use gamla here instead of the standard accusative form gamlan?
Because the noun vaskinn has the definite article attached (the "-inn" suffix). When a noun is definite, any adjective modifying it must use the "weak" declension. The weak masculine accusative form of gamall is gamla. If you were talking about "an old sink" (indefinite), you would use the strong form: gamlan vask.
How is the verb fjarlægja constructed?
It is built from the adjective fjarlægur (distant, far away). By turning it into a verb, it literally means "to make distant", which translates perfectly to "remove". Recognizing these building blocks makes it much easier to deduce the meaning of advanced vocabulary.
Could I use Þú verður að instead of Þú þarft að here?
Yes, but it changes the tone slightly. Þurfa að implies a practical necessity (you need to remove it, perhaps to install a new one). Verða að expresses a stronger, often external obligation, translating more closely to "You absolutely must" or "You have to".
Which word dictates the case of gamla vaskinn?
The verb fjarlægja governs the accusative case here, as the sink is the direct object receiving the action of being removed. The dictionary form (nominative) is vaskurinn, but in the accusative it drops the "-ur" to become vaskinn.
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