Breakdown of Tvíburarnir eru bara mjög öðruvísi.
vera
to be
bara
just / only
mjög
very
tvíburinn
the twin
öðruvísi
different
Questions & Answers about Tvíburarnir eru bara mjög öðruvísi.
Why isn't báðir (both) used in this sentence since the current lesson focuses on it?
Because the word for twins naturally implies two people, adding báðir is optional. If you wanted to emphasize that both of them share this trait, you could say Tvíburarnir báðir (both the twins), but this sentence simply says the twins.
Why doesn't the adjective öðruvísi (different) have a plural ending to match tvíburarnir?
Öðruvísi is a special indeclinable adjective. Unlike most adjectives in Icelandic, it never changes its ending to match the gender, number, or case of the noun it describes. It is always just öðruvísi.
How is the word tvíburarnir formed?
It breaks down into tví- (a prefix meaning two) and burar (plural of buri, an old word for offspring). The -nir at the very end is the attached masculine plural definite article, giving us the meaning the twins.
Can öðruvísi be used as an adverb as well?
Yes! It literally translates to other-wise or in another way. Depending on the context, it can act as an adjective meaning different (like it does here) or as an adverb meaning differently.
Learn Tvíburarnir eru bara mjög öðruvísi and more in Icelandic
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free