Questions & Answers about Seinna heimsækjum við þau.
Why does the verb come before the subject here (heimsækjum við)?
This is the V2 (verb-second) rule in action! Because the sentence starts with the adverb seinna (later), the verb heimsækjum must take the second position. This pushes the subject við (we) right after the verb.
The translation says 'are visiting', but isn't heimsækjum the simple present tense?
Exactly. Icelandic does not have a separate 'is doing' form or a future tense word like 'will'. The simple present tense heimsækjum covers all of these, so with the word seinna, it naturally means 'are visiting' or 'will visit'.
Why do we use þau for 'them' in this sentence?
The verb heimsækja requires its object to be in the accusative case. Þau is the accusative plural pronoun used for a mixed-gender group (like a man and a woman) or a group of neuter nouns. If we were visiting an all-male group, we would use þá, and for an all-female group, þær.
What is a good way to remember the word heimsækjum?
It comes from the infinitive verb heimsækja, which is a compound of heim (home) and sækja (to seek, fetch, or attend). So, to visit someone in Icelandic literally means to 'seek' their 'home'!
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