Breakdown of Hvenær kaupir þú húfuna þína?
þú
you
kaupa
to buy
hvenær
when
þinn
your (m, f, n: þinn, þín, þitt)
húfan
the beanie
Questions & Answers about Hvenær kaupir þú húfuna þína?
Why is the possessive pronoun þína instead of the dictionary form þinn?
Because it must match the noun it describes! Húfa (beanie) is a feminine word. Since it is the direct object being bought, it takes the accusative case. The feminine, singular, accusative form of þinn (your) is þína.
Why does húfuna have the definite article attached (meaning 'the beanie') if the sentence says 'your beanie'?
In Icelandic, it is standard to use the definite article on a noun even when a possessive pronoun belongs to it. You are literally saying 'the beanie your'. If you just said húfa þín without the 'the', it would sound very formal or poetic.
Why does þína come after the noun instead of before it?
In English we put the possessive word first ('your beanie'), but in Icelandic the possessive pronoun usually comes right after the noun (húfuna þína). Putting it before the noun is generally only done to add strong emphasis to the word 'your'.
The translation says 'are buying', but kaupir is just the simple present tense. Does Icelandic have an 'are doing' tense?
No, Icelandic does not have a separate present continuous tense. The simple present tense verb kaupir translates to both 'buy' and 'are buying'. It is also often used to talk about the near future, just like we say 'When are you buying it?' in English.
Learn Hvenær kaupir þú húfuna þína 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