Questions & Answers about Nei, þau eru ekki veik.
Why use þau for "they" instead of þeir or þær?
Does the verb eru change if we use þeir or þær instead?
No, the verb stays exactly the same. Eru is the form of the verb vera (to be) used for all three "they" pronouns: þeir eru, þær eru, and þau eru.
Why is the adjective veik here? Isn't that the feminine singular form?
You have a good eye! Veik is indeed the feminine singular form (as in hún er veik). However, in Icelandic, the neuter plural form of many adjectives looks exactly the same as the feminine singular form. Because the subject is the neuter plural þau, the adjective must match it, which is why we use veik here.
Why does ekki (not) come after the verb?
In simple Icelandic statements, the negative word ekki almost always comes directly after the conjugated verb. That is why it is placed right after eru.