Learn Icelandic: Þetta er bók.

Þetta er bók.

This is a book.

Breakdown of Þetta er bók.

Elon.io is an online learning platform

We have an entire course teaching Icelandic grammar and vocabulary.

Start learning Icelandic now

Questions & Answers about Þetta er bók.

Why is "þetta" used here if "bók" is a feminine word?

When you introduce or point something out using "This is...", you always use the neuter pronoun þetta, no matter what gender the noun has. Think of it as saying "This thing here is a book." You only need to match the gender if you say "this book" directly (þessi bók).

Where is the word for "a" in this sentence?

Icelandic doesn't have a word for "a" or "an" (indefinite articles). You just use the bare noun. Because of this, bók can translate to "book" or "a book" depending on what sounds best in English.

How would I change this sentence to say "This is the book"?

To say "the", Icelandic attaches a definite ending to the end of the noun instead of using a separate word. Because bók is a feminine word, it takes the ending -in. So, "This is the book" translates to Þetta er bókin.