Log inSign up

Við þurfum að borga kaffið.

Við þurfum að borga kaffið.
We need to pay for the coffee.
From Lesson 21:Needs and wants (þurfa, vilja)·Icelandic

Questions & Answers about Við þurfum að borga kaffið.

Why do we use að before borga?
When using þurfa (to need) with another action, you connect them using að followed by the infinitive (dictionary form) of the second verb. It works just like the word "to" in the English phrase "need to pay".
Why does the verb change to þurfum?
In Icelandic, verbs change their endings based on who is doing the action. Since the subject is við (we), the verb þurfa takes the specific "we" ending and becomes þurfum.
Why isn't there a word for "for" in the Icelandic sentence?
While in English we say "pay for the coffee", the Icelandic verb borga (to pay) usually connects directly to the item you are paying for. You are literally saying "We need to pay the coffee".
Where is the word "the" in this sentence?
Icelandic attaches "the" to the end of the noun as a suffix instead of using a separate word before it. The base word is kaffi (coffee), and adding the suffix -ð creates kaffið (the coffee).

Learn Við þurfum að borga kaffið and more in Icelandic

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning Icelandic →