Breakdown of Hann ætlar að máta þennan trefil.
hann
he
að
to (infinitive marker)
ætla
to intend
þessi
this (m/f)
máta
to try on
trefillinn
the scarf
Questions & Answers about Hann ætlar að máta þennan trefil.
Why is it þennan and not þessi?
Þennan is the masculine accusative form of þessi (this). We use the accusative case here because the scarf is the direct object receiving the action of the verb máta (to try on). Since the word for scarf is masculine, this scarf becomes þennan trefil.
Why does the dictionary word trefill drop an L to become trefil here?
In Icelandic, many masculine nouns that end in -ll in their base form (the nominative case) drop one l when they change to the accusative case. Because the scarf is the object being tried on, it takes this accusative form.
Does ætlar mean is going to or intends to?
Both! The verb ætla means to intend or plan to do something. When combined with að and another verb like máta, it acts exactly like the English phrase going to for talking about future plans.
Can I use máta for trying other things, like a new food?
No, máta is specifically used for trying on clothes or accessories to see if they fit. If you want to talk about trying a new food or trying out an experience, you would use a different verb, like prófa.
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