Breakdown of Ég þakka tengdaföður mínum.
ég
I
minn
my (m, f, n: minn, mín, mitt)
þakka
to thank
tengdafaðirinn
the father-in-law
Questions & Answers about Ég þakka tengdaföður mínum.
Why does this sentence use mínum instead of minn?
The verb þakka (to thank) requires its object to be in the dative case. Because the word for father-in-law (tengdaföður) is masculine and singular, the possessive pronoun for "my" must match it, taking the dative masculine singular form: mínum.
Wait, isn't the word for father-in-law tengdafaðir? Why is it tengdaföður here?
You are right that the dictionary form (nominative case) is tengdafaðir. Words ending in -faðir follow an irregular pattern. When put into the dative case (which is required by the verb þakka), faðir changes to föður.
Why does "my" come after "father-in-law" (tengdaföður mínum)?
In Icelandic, possessive pronouns like minn usually come right after the noun they belong to, rather than before it like in English. You are literally saying "I thank father-in-law my."
How do you break down the word tengdaföður?
It is a compound word made of tengda- (relating to in-laws or family ties, from the noun tengdir) and faðir (father). You will see this same prefix in other in-law words, like tengdamóðir (mother-in-law).
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