Questions & Answers about Megum við kynnast?
Why does this sentence use the infinitive kynnast when we are learning about past tense -st verbs?
It is because of the helping verb megum (may/are allowed to). Just like in English, these verbs are followed by the infinitive form of the main verb. If you wanted to use the past tense without the helping verb, you would conjugate the -st verb directly: Við kynntumst (We got to know each other).
How does the -st ending change the meaning of the verb here?
The regular active verb kynna means to introduce someone else. Adding the -st ending makes it middle voice, which often creates a reciprocal meaning, meaning two or more people doing the action to each other. So kynnast means to introduce yourselves to each other, or get to know each other.
If I want to make this whole question past tense, do I change kynnast?
No, kynnast stays in the infinitive because it still follows a helping verb. You only change the first verb, megum, to its past tense form máttum. The past tense question becomes Máttum við kynnast? (Were we allowed to get to know each other?).
Is megum við a common way to start an introduction?
It is a very polite and slightly formal way to ask for permission. Mega is used to ask if you are allowed to do something. By asking Megum við kynnast?, you are politely asking a new person or group if you can join them and exchange introductions.
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