Log inSign up

Þetta er bók.

Þetta er bók.
This is a book.
From Lesson 1:Presentative and the definite suffix (þetta er, -inn, -in, -ið)·Icelandic

Breakdown of Þetta er bók.

þetta
this
vera
to be
bókin
the book

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.

Learn Þetta er bók 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
Start learning Icelandic →