Breakdown of Ég þarf að finna heimilisfang Páls.
ég
I
að
to (infinitive marker)
finna
to find
þurfa
to need
heimilisfangið
the address
Páll
Páll
Questions & Answers about Ég þarf að finna heimilisfang Páls.
Why does the name Páll change to Páls here?
Páls is the genitive (possessive) form of the name Páll. Just like in English where you add an apostrophe and 's' to make 'Páll's', Icelandic adds an -s ending. Notice that one of the ls in the name is dropped when the -s is added!
Why is the word order heimilisfang Páls instead of the other way around?
In Icelandic, the possessed object (heimilisfang) usually comes before the owner (Páls). So instead of saying 'Páll's address', Icelandic naturally phrases it as 'the address of Páll'.
Is there a genitive ending inside the word heimilisfang too?
Yes, good eye! Heimilisfang is a compound word made of heimili (home) and fang (grasp or catch). Icelandic often links compound words by putting the first part in the genitive case, which is why heimili gets an -s ending in the middle of the word to become heimilis-.
Why do we need the word að between þarf and finna?
The verb þurfa (to need) requires the little word að when it is followed by another verb in the infinitive (the dictionary form). It matches up perfectly with English in this sentence: þarf að finna means 'need to find'.
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