Question 1

Why does the superlative mikilvægast end in "-ast" but dýrust ends in "-ust"?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the gender and number of the noun. Heimsmetið (the world record) is neuter singular, so its strong superlative ending is -ast. Verðlaunin (the prize) is neuter plural. For neuter plural (and feminine singular) adjectives, a vowel shift called U-mutation changes the "a" in the suffix to "u", making it -ust.

Question 2

The English translation says "the prize is", but the Icelandic says verðlaunin eru. Why is the verb plural?

Accepted Answer

The Icelandic word for "prize" or "award", verðlaun, is a neuter noun that only exists in the plural form. Even when talking about a single prize, you must use plural grammar, which is why it is paired with the plural verb eru (are) and the plural adjective dýrust.

Question 3

Why do we use the strong adjective forms (mikilvægast, dýrust) here instead of weak forms like mikilvægasta?

Accepted Answer

Adjectives generally take the strong declension when they come after the verb "to be" (vera) to describe the subject, as they do in this sentence. You would use the weak form if the superlative came directly before a definite noun, for example: dýrasta heimsmetið (the most expensive world record).

Question 4

How is the word heimsmetið built?

Accepted Answer

It is a compound word made of heimur (world) in its possessive "genitive" form heims, plus met (record), and the attached neuter definite article -ið (the). Literally, it translates to "the world's record".

Heimsmetið er mikilvægast, en verðlaunin eru dýrust.

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