Questions & Answers about Þú þarft að snyrta þig núna.
Why do we use þig for "yourself" here instead of a special reflexive word?
In Icelandic, there is no special reflexive pronoun for the first or second person (meaning "myself", "yourself", "ourselves", or "yourselves"). You simply use the regular object pronouns. Since "you" is the object being freshened up, you use the pronoun þig. The special reflexive word sig is only ever used for the third person ("himself", "herself", "itself", "themselves").
What does snyrta literally mean?
Snyrta means "to tidy", "to groom", or "to trim" (such as trimming hair or a garden hedge). When you use it reflexively like snyrta þig (literally "groom yourself"), it is the standard way to say "freshen up" in Icelandic.
Why is the pronoun þig used here instead of the dative þér?
The verb snyrta requires its object to be in the accusative case. Even though you are directing the action at yourself, the reflexive pronoun still has to follow the case rule for this specific verb. Therefore, you must use the accusative þig rather than the dative þér.
Why is að needed before snyrta?
Að is the infinitive marker, working exactly like the word "to" in English. The conjugated verb þurfa (to need) must be followed by að plus the dictionary form of the next verb. So, þú þarft að snyrta matches up perfectly with "you need to freshen".