Breakdown of Góð heilsa gefur mér mikla orku.
góður
good
mér
me (dative)
gefa
to give
mikill
great, much (adjective: snjórinn er mikill)
heilsan
the health
orkan
the energy
Questions & Answers about Góð heilsa gefur mér mikla orku.
Why do we use mér instead of mig or ég?
The verb gefa (to give) takes two objects. The person receiving the gift (the indirect object) takes the dative case, which is why we use mér. The thing being given takes the accusative case.
Why is the adjective mikla used here instead of mikill?
Adjectives must match the gender, number, and case of the noun they describe. The word for energy, orka, is a feminine noun. Because it is the thing being given, it is in the accusative case. Mikla is the feminine, singular, accusative form of mikill (much/a lot).
Why does orka change to orku at the end of the sentence?
The dictionary form is orka. It changes to orku because it is the direct object of the verb gefa (to give), which forces it into the accusative case. In Icelandic, most feminine nouns that end in -a change to -u in the accusative case.
Why is it Góð heilsa rather than Góða heilsa?
Heilsa (health) is the subject of the sentence, so it is in the nominative case. We use the strong declension of the adjective, Góð, because there is no definite article on the noun. If we were saying 'The good health' with the definite article, it would use the weak form and become Góða heilsan.
Learn Góð heilsa gefur mér mikla orku 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