Word
Við trúum ekki þessum leikurum.
Meaning
We do not believe these actors.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Questions & Answers about Við trúum ekki þessum leikurum.
Why are þessum and leikurum in the dative case?
The verb trúa (to believe) dictates the case of the word that follows it. It always requires its object to be in the dative case. Because we are pointing out plural actors, both the pronoun þessum and the noun leikurum must be in the dative plural.
Does the form þessum change depending on the gender of the noun?
Luckily, no! The base word is þessi (this). While it changes a lot in the singular depending on gender, the dative plural form is always þessum for all genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter).
What happens to the noun leikari to make it leikurum?
The base noun is leikari (actor). The dative plural ending for almost every noun in Icelandic is -um. The noun drops its final vowel and adds -um, becoming leikurum. Notice how satisfyingly it rhymes with þessum!
Why is ekki placed right in the middle of the sentence?
In a standard Icelandic main clause, the negative word ekki (not) usually drops in immediately after the conjugated verb (trúum). It comes right before the object (þessum leikurum).