Question 1

Why is 'these' translated as þessum here?

Accepted Answer

The word þessum is the dative plural form of the demonstrative pronoun þessi (this/these). It is in the dative case because the preposition á requires it when talking about a static location or event. Notice how it perfectly matches the dative plural ending of the noun viðburðum!

Question 2

Is viðburðum a plural word? Why does it end in -um?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it means 'events'. The base word is the masculine noun viðburður (an event). Because the preposition á puts the phrase into the dative case, we use the dative plural form. A very handy rule in Icelandic is that almost all nouns, regardless of gender, end in -um in the dative plural.

Question 3

Why do we use á to mean 'at' these events?

Accepted Answer

While á most commonly translates to 'on', it is the standard Icelandic preposition to use when talking about attending events, concerts, or gatherings.

Question 4

How does the word söngvarinn (the singer) get its ending?

Accepted Answer

The base word for a male singer is söngvari. Because it is a 'weak' masculine noun (meaning it ends in a vowel in its basic form), we just add -nn to mean 'the', rather than the full -inn ending. That gives us söngvarinn.

Söngvarinn syngur oft á þessum viðburðum.

Breakdown of Söngvarinn syngur oft á þessum viðburðum.

Questions & Answers about Söngvarinn syngur oft á þessum viðburðum.

Learn Söngvarinn syngur oft á þessum viðburðum and more in Icelandic