Learn Icelandic: Barnið er að leika úti núna. - The child is playing outside now.

It uses the verb vera (to be) conjugated as er for the child, followed by the word að, and then the infinitive verb leika (to play). The structure er að leika is the standard way to express that an action is currently happening right now in Icelandic.

Why is the word for the child Barnið instead of just Barn?

In Icelandic, the definite article (the word for the) attaches to the end of the noun. The base word is barn (a child), which is a neuter noun. By adding the neuter ending -ið, we get barnið (the child).

Could I use the word spila instead of leika for playing here?

No. The verb leika is used for unstructured children's play, like running around or using imagination. If the child were playing a structured game with rules, a sport, or a musical instrument, you would use spila instead.

Why does the sentence use úti for outside instead of út?

The word úti is used when someone or something is already located outside. You would use út if there was motion directed towards the outside, like a child running out the door. Since the child is already outside playing, úti is the correct choice.