Learn Icelandic: Þau hlaupa hraðar í skóginum.

Þau hlaupa hraðar í skóginum.

They run faster in the forest.

Breakdown of Þau hlaupa hraðar í skóginum.

þau

they (n)

in / into / to (before the hour, in telling time) / per (in frequency expressions)

Questions & Answers about Þau hlaupa hraðar í skóginum.

Why is hraðar used here for "faster"? What is the base word?

Hraðar is the comparative form of the adverb hratt (fast). Since it describes how they run, it is an adverb rather than an adjective. In Icelandic, many adverbs form their comparative by adding -ar, so hratt becomes hraðar (faster).

Why use Þau for "They" instead of Þeir or Þær?

Þau is the neuter plural form of "they". You use it when referring to a group of mixed genders (like a man and a woman) or a group of neuter nouns. If the group was entirely male, you would use Þeir, and if entirely female, Þær.

They are running (moving), so why does í trigger the dative case (skóginum) instead of the accusative?

The preposition í takes the dative case when it describes a fixed location. Even though running is an active movement, the action is happening entirely inside the forest. If they were running into the forest from the outside, you would use the accusative case (í skóginn).

How do you get skóginum from the dictionary word for forest?