Question 1

Why is "both" written as báða here instead of báðir?

Accepted Answer

Báða is the masculine accusative plural form of báðir. It needs to be in the accusative case because it follows the phrase var með (had / was with). The phrase vera með forces the object you "have" into the accusative case.

Question 2

I notice báða is the masculine form. Is the word for "foot" masculine in Icelandic?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The singular word for "foot" is fótur, which is a masculine noun. Because "both" acts like an adjective in Icelandic, it must perfectly match the gender, case, and number of the noun it describes. Therefore, we use the masculine accusative plural báða to match fæturna.

Question 3

Why does the word for "feet" have the definite article attached (fæturna) if the English translation just says "both feet"?

Accepted Answer

In Icelandic, when you use báðir (both) directly with a noun, that noun almost always takes the definite article (the attached "the"). So while in English we simply say "both feet", Icelandic literally says "both the feet" (báða fæturna).

Question 4

Why does the sentence use "var með" to mean "had" instead of a past tense form of the verb hafa?

Accepted Answer

In Icelandic, you do not usually use the verb hafa (to have) for physical features, body parts, or things you are currently holding or wearing. Instead, you use the phrase vera með (literally "to be with"). Since this is in the past tense, it becomes var með.

Question 5

Why does borð (table) end in -inu here?

Accepted Answer

Borðinu is the dative, definite form of the neuter noun borð. The preposition á (on) forces the following noun into the dative case when it describes a stationary location, answering exactly "where" the feet were resting.

Barnið var með báða fæturna á borðinu.

Breakdown of Barnið var með báða fæturna á borðinu.

Questions & Answers about Barnið var með báða fæturna á borðinu.

Learn Barnið var með báða fæturna á borðinu and more in Icelandic