Breakdown of Við ætlum að vaska upp en þið eigið að taka til.
en
but
þið
you (plural)
við
we
að
to (infinitive marker)
ætla
to intend
eiga að
to be supposed to
taka til
to tidy up
vaska upp
to wash dishes
Questions & Answers about Við ætlum að vaska upp en þið eigið að taka til.
How does eigið að mean 'have to' here? Doesn't eiga usually mean 'to own'?
Yes, the verb eiga by itself usually means 'to own' or 'to have'. But when you pair it with að and an infinitive verb (like að taka til), it creates a strong sense of obligation or duty, much like 'to be supposed to' or 'have to' in English. Here, eigið is the form for 'you all' (þið).
Is there a difference in tone between ætlum að and eigið að?
Definitely! Ætla að (here as ætlum að for 'we') just expresses an intention or plan, like saying 'We are going to'. On the other hand, eiga að (here as eigið að for 'you plural') is an obligation. The sentence highlights this contrast: we are planning to do one chore, but it is your duty to do the other.
What does the upp add to að vaska?
Vaska means 'to wash', but adding the word upp makes it the fixed phrase að vaska upp, which translates exactly to 'to wash up' or 'to wash the dishes'. It is a set phrase specifically used for dishwashing.
Why does taka mean 'tidy' in this sentence?
It is because of the word til. When you combine the verb taka (to take) with til, it forms a completely new meaning: 'to clean up' or 'to tidy up'. It is a very common phrasal verb for household chores!
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