Question 1

Why is it stórt instead of just stór?

Accepted Answer

Because adjectives in Icelandic must match the gender of the noun they describe. The word for table, borð, is a neuter noun. To make the adjective stór (big) match a neuter noun in the nominative case, we add a -t to the end, making it stórt.

Question 2

Why does the sentence start with the verb er?

Accepted Answer

To make a yes/no question in Icelandic, you simply swap the verb and the subject. While a statement would be Þetta er stórt borð (This is a big table), you flip the first two words to ask Er þetta stórt borð? (Is this a big table?).

Question 3

Why is there no word for "a" before stórt borð?

Accepted Answer

Icelandic does not use indefinite articles like the English words "a" or "an". The noun borð by itself simply translates to "a table" or "table" depending on the context.

Question 4

Does the word þetta (this) also change depending on the noun?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Þetta is the neuter form of the word for "this", which perfectly matches the neuter noun borð. If you were pointing at a masculine noun instead, you would use a different form, like þessi.

Er þetta stórt borð?

Breakdown of Er þetta stórt borð?

Questions & Answers about Er þetta stórt borð?

Learn Er þetta stórt borð and more in Icelandic