Breakdown of Það snjóar úti núna.
það
it / there (existential) / the one (n)
úti
outside
núna
now
snjóa
to snow
Questions & Answers about Það snjóar úti núna.
Why do we use það in this sentence instead of just saying snjóar úti?
Just like in English, Icelandic requires a subject for weather verbs to make the sentence grammatically complete. We use the word það (it) as a "dummy subject" to fill that empty spot, even though it does not refer to any specific object.
The translation says "is snowing", but doesn't snjóar just mean "snows"?
Icelandic does not have a separate continuous tense (like "is doing") for weather. The single word snjóar translates to both "snows" and "is snowing". Because the sentence includes núna (now), "is snowing" makes the most sense in English.
I have seen the word út for "outside". Why does this sentence use úti instead?
Icelandic uses different words for location and movement. You use úti when something is happening in a fixed place outside, like the weather. You use út when there is motion from inside to outside, such as walking out the door.
If I want to emphasize that it is snowing right now, can I start the sentence with núna?
Yes, but remember the "verb second" rule! If you put núna first, the verb snjóar must come right after it. The dummy subject það will swap places with the verb, making the sentence Núna snjóar það úti.
Learn Það snjóar úti núna 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