Learn Icelandic: Þið spilið úti.

Þið spilið úti.

You play outside.

Breakdown of Þið spilið úti.

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Questions & Answers about Þið spilið úti.

Wait, I thought "you" was þú. Why are we using þið?

In English, we use "you" for both one person and a group of people. In Icelandic, þú is strictly for one person (singular), while þið is the plural "you" (like "you guys" or "y'all"). Since this sentence uses þið, we know the speaker is talking to multiple people.

Since spila is a Group 1 verb, shouldn't it end in -ar?

Group 1 verbs get their nickname from their singular forms, which usually end in -ar (like þú spilar or hún spilar). However, in the plural, the endings change! For the pronoun þið, the verb ending is always -ið, which gives us þið spilið.

Can I use spila to talk about kids playing outside?

It depends on what they are doing! Spila is specifically used for playing structured games, sports, or musical instruments. If they are just running around or playing make-believe, Icelanders use a different verb entirely: leika.

I've also seen the word út for "outside". What is the difference between út and úti?

It depends on whether there is movement from one place to another. You use út when someone is going outside (motion). You use úti when someone or something is already outside (location). Because the people in this sentence are currently out there playing, we use the location word úti.