Question 1

Where exactly does ekki go in the second part of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

In basic Icelandic sentences, ekki (not) usually comes right after the conjugated verb. In the second half of this sentence, the verb is er (is), so ekki steps right in behind it to form er ekki (is not).

Question 2

Why do maðurinn and vinurinn both end in -inn?

Accepted Answer

In Icelandic, there is no separate word for 'the'. Instead, you attach a suffix to the end of the noun. Maður means 'a man', and adding -inn makes it maðurinn ('the man'). The same pattern applies to vinur (a friend), which becomes vinurinn (the friend).

Question 3

Why is 'at home' translated as just one word, heima?

Accepted Answer

Heima is an adverb that builds the concept of 'at' right into its meaning. You use it specifically when someone is currently located at their house, rather than traveling to it. Because the location is built in, you don't need a separate word for 'at' or 'in'.

Question 4

Does the word en (but) change the word order of the second half of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

No, en is a simple connecting word that links two main clauses together without altering the word order. Because of this, the second half of the sentence behaves just like a standalone sentence, keeping the verb er in the second position and the negation ekki immediately after it.

Question 5

Why is the verb er (is) exactly the same in both halves of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

The verb vera (to be) changes depending on who is doing the action, but both maðurinn (the man) and vinurinn (the friend) are third-person singular subjects (equivalent to 'he'). Therefore, they both use the exact same verb form, er.

Maðurinn er heima en vinurinn er ekki heima.

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