Breakdown of Jú, hann svarar þremur börnum.
hann
he
barnið
the child
þrír
three
svara
to answer
jú
yes (contradicting a negative question)
Questions & Answers about Jú, hann svarar þremur börnum.
Why is the number three written as þremur here?
The verb svara (to answer) always forces the person or thing being answered into the dative case. Because the Icelandic numbers 1 through 4 change their form to match the noun they describe, the number three becomes þremur to agree with the dative noun börnum (children).
Is þremur specifically the neuter form to match the neuter noun börnum?
Why does the sentence start with jú for "yes" instead of já?
Jú is a special kind of "yes" used specifically to contradict a negative question or statement. This sentence is likely replying to someone asking "Doesn't he answer the children?" By using jú, you are clarifying "Yes, contrary to what you just suggested, he actually does."
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