Breakdown of Hann þarf að klára matinn.
hann
he
maturinn
the food
að
to (infinitive marker)
þurfa
to need
klára
to finish
Questions & Answers about Hann þarf að klára matinn.
Why do we need the word að between þarf and klára?
The verb þurfa (to need) requires the particle að before the next verb. This works just like English, where we say needs to finish rather than just needs finish. The verb after að is always in its dictionary form (the infinitive), which is klára here.
Is þarf the dictionary form of the verb?
No, the dictionary form (infinitive) is þurfa. It is an irregular verb. In the present tense singular, the vowel changes: I need is ég þarf and he needs is hann þarf.
I learned the word for food is matur. Why does it change to matinn in this sentence?
Two things are happening to the noun. First, the verb klára requires the object receiving the action to be in the accusative case, which drops the ending and changes matur to mat. Second, because the sentence says the food, we attach the definite article -inn to the end, creating matinn.
Can I use klára for finishing things other than a meal?
Yes! Klára is a common everyday verb used for finishing or completing almost anything, such as a task, a project, a book, or your food.
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