Breakdown of Jú, þessi litli álfur hræðist dverginn.
lítill
small / a little (small amount)
hræðast
to fear
þessi
this (m/f)
jú
yes (contradicting a negative question)
álfurinn
the elf
dvergurinn
the dwarf
Questions & Answers about Jú, þessi litli álfur hræðist dverginn.
Why is the adjective litli used here instead of the dictionary form lítill?
Because it comes right after the demonstrative word þessi (this). Demonstrative and possessive words act as triggers for the weak form of an adjective. For masculine nominative words like álfur, the weak adjective ending is -i.
Why does the sentence start with jú instead of the usual já for 'yes'?
Jú is a specific word for 'yes' that is used to contradict a negative question or statement. Using it here implies someone likely just asked, 'Isn't the elf brave?' or said, 'The elf isn't afraid, is he?'
Why does the verb hræðist end in -st?
This is called a middle voice verb. Some verbs in Icelandic naturally end in -st and often express a state, feeling, or an action done to oneself. The dictionary form is hræðast (to be afraid of), and its 'he/she/it' form is hræðist.
Why is dverginn (the dwarf) in the accusative case here?
In Icelandic, the verb hræðast requires the thing you are afraid of to be in the accusative case. Since dvergur is a masculine noun, its accusative form with the definite article ('the') attached becomes dverginn.
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