Breakdown of Þeir kunna að smíða hús.
húsið
the house
þeir
they (m)
að
to (infinitive marker)
kunna
to know how to
Questions & Answers about Þeir kunna að smíða hús.
Why do we use kunna instead of geta here if it means they "can" build a house?
In Icelandic, kunna is used for skills you have learned, meaning "to know how to." If you said Þeir geta smíðað hús, it would mean they have the physical ability, time, or opportunity to do it right now. Since building a house is a learned skill, kunna is the perfect choice.
Why is there an að between kunna and smíða?
The verb kunna requires the infinitive marker að (to) before the verb that follows it. You can think of kunna að as the English phrase "know how to". This is an important rule to remember, especially because the other "can" verb, geta, does not use að.
Is hús singular or plural in this sentence?
I've seen the verb byggja used for "build". Can I use that instead of smíða?
Yes, you could say Þeir kunna að byggja hús. Both mean "to build," but smíða specifically relates to craftsmanship, usually working with wood (carpentry) or metal (forging). Using smíða emphasizes the physical, hands-on craft of making the house.