Breakdown of Hann hefur áhuga en hann hefur áhyggjur.
hann
he
en
but
hafa
to have
áhuginn
the interest
áhyggjurnar
the worries
Questions & Answers about Hann hefur áhuga en hann hefur áhyggjur.
Why do we use hefur here instead of saying he is interested or he is worried?
In Icelandic, feelings or abstract states like interest (áhugi) and worry (áhyggja) are treated as things you possess, not things you are. Instead of saying he is worried, you say he has worries (hann hefur áhyggjur). This is the standard way the verb hafa (to have) is used for abstract possession.
Why is the word for interest spelled áhuga here instead of its dictionary form áhugi?
The verb hafa forces the noun following it (the thing being had) into the accusative case. For masculine words ending in -i like áhugi, the accusative form changes the ending to -a, making it áhuga.
Is áhyggjur singular or plural?
It is plural, meaning worries. The singular form is áhyggja (a worry). Just like in English, Icelanders usually talk about worries in the plural when someone is generally anxious. It is also in the accusative case here because it is the object of hefur.
How do I pronounce the double g in áhyggjur?
In Icelandic, a double gg followed by a j is pronounced like a soft gy sound. It sounds similar to the g in the English word argue rather than a hard g sound.
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