Questions & Answers about Sérð þú stólinn úti?
Why does the word for 'the chair' have only one 'l' in stólinn?
The dictionary form for 'a chair' is stóll (with two Ls), which becomes stóllinn ('the chair') in the nominative (subject) case. However, here the chair is the object being seen, so it must be in the accusative case. The accusative form of stóll drops an 'l', becoming stól. Add the masculine accusative definite ending -inn, and you get stólinn.
How do we know to use the accusative case for stólinn?
The verb sjá (here conjugated as sérð, meaning 'see') forces its direct object into the accusative case. Since you are seeing the chair, the chair receives the action and must take the accusative form.
Why doesn't Icelandic use a word for 'do' in a question like 'Do you see...'?
Icelandic doesn't use 'do' to make questions. Instead, it simply swaps the order of the subject and the verb. So the statement 'You see' (Þú sérð) turns into a question by flipping to 'See you?' (Sérð þú?).
What is the difference between úti and út?
úti means 'outside' when talking about a stationary location or resting position (like a chair sitting outside). út is used for movement, meaning 'out' or 'towards the outside' (like when you are walking out the door).