Breakdown of Krakkarnir þakka þessum leikurum.
þakka
to thank
krakkinn
the kid
þessi
this (m/f)
leikarinn
the actor
Questions & Answers about Krakkarnir þakka þessum leikurum.
Why is 'these' translated as þessum in this sentence?
Þessum is the dative plural form of the demonstrative pronoun þessi (this/these). Because pronouns must match the noun they point to, it takes the dative plural form to match leikurum. Notice that they both share the common dative plural -um ending!
Wait, why are the actors in the dative case? Shouldn't they be the direct object?
In Icelandic, the verb þakka (to thank) always requires the person being thanked to be in the dative case. You can think of it as giving thanks 'to' someone. That is why we use þessum leikurum instead of an accusative form.
What is the base form of leikurum?
The base (dictionary) form is leikari (actor). Almost all nouns in Icelandic take the ending -um in the dative plural. Here, the final -i of the base word is dropped to make room for the -um ending, becoming leikurum.
How does the word Krakkarnir break down?
It starts with the noun krakki (kid). In the nominative plural, it becomes krakkar (kids). To say 'the kids', you add the plural definite article -nir to the end, giving you krakkarnir.
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