Question 1

Why does the sentence use er með to mean "is wearing"?

Accepted Answer

In Icelandic, the phrase vera með (literally "to be with") is the most common way to say that someone is wearing an item of clothing or physically holding something right now.

Question 2

Which case comes after með in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

When með means "wearing" or "holding" (physical possession), it always takes the accusative case. Both beltið and gult bindi are in the accusative case here.

Question 3

If beltið and bindi are in the accusative case, why haven't their endings changed?

Accepted Answer

Belti and bindi are both neuter nouns. In Icelandic, neuter nouns always look exactly the same in the accusative case as they do in the nominative (subject) case.

Question 4

Why is the adjective gult instead of gulur?

Accepted Answer

Adjectives must match the gender, number, and case of the noun they describe. Since bindi is a singular neuter noun in the accusative case, the adjective changes to its neuter accusative form, gult.

Question 5

How do we know it is "a yellow tie" but "the belt"?

Accepted Answer

Icelandic does not use separate words for "a" or "the". Instead, "the" is added as a suffix to the end of the noun, like the -ð on beltið (the belt). Because bindi has no suffix, it is indefinite and just translates to "a tie".

Kennarinn er með beltið og gult bindi.

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