Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

The dictionary word is skógur, a masculine noun. Because of the preposition í showing location, it changes to the dative form, skógi. Finally, to say "the" forest, we add the dative masculine definite article suffix -num to the end, making it skóginum.

Þau hlaupa hraðar í skóginum.

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