Question 1

Why is the word for three þremur instead of þrír?

Accepted Answer

The preposition á triggers the dative case here. Unlike in English, the numbers 1 to 4 change form depending on the case. In the dative, the number three becomes þremur. A helpful trick: in the dative case, þremur is the exact same word for masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns.

Question 2

Why does the word for shifts, vöktum, end in -um?

Accepted Answer

Because it is in the dative plural form. The singular dictionary form is vakt. A great rule to remember is that almost every noun in Icelandic ends in -um in the dative plural, no matter what gender it is.

Question 3

I learned that á can take the accusative case. Why does it take the dative here?

Accepted Answer

The preposition á takes the accusative when describing movement towards a destination, but it takes the dative when describing a fixed position, state, or routine. Working on shifts is a continuous routine, so it uses the dative case.

Question 4

Why does the sentence start with the neuter pronoun Þau for they?

Accepted Answer

In Icelandic, the neuter plural þau is used when referring to a mixed group of men and women, or when the gender of the people is unknown. You would only use the masculine þeir for an all-male group and the feminine þær for an all-female group.

Þau vinna á þremur vöktum.

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