Breakdown of Maður veit aldrei hvar ógæfan byrjar.
hvar
where
byrja
to start
aldrei
never
vita
to know (a fact, information)
maður
one (impersonal pronoun)
ógæfan
the bad luck
Questions & Answers about Maður veit aldrei hvar ógæfan byrjar.
Why does this sentence use maður when the English translation says "you"?
While maður literally means "a man" or "a person", it is the standard Icelandic way to say "one" or a general "you". When you want to make a broad statement that applies to people in general, like "you never know", you use maður.
Which verb form do I use with maður?
Because maður is a singular noun, it always takes the third-person singular form of the verb, exactly like hann (he) or hún (she). That's why it pairs with veit (the third-person singular of vita, to know).
How do you break down the word ógæfan?
It starts with the common prefix ó-, which means "un-" or "not". This is attached to the feminine noun gæfa, which means "luck" or "good fortune". Finally, the -n at the end is the attached definite article ("the"). So, ó-gæfa-n literally builds up to "the un-luck" or "the misfortune".
Could I use hvert instead of hvar for "where" in this sentence?
No, because hvar is used for a stationary location (where something happens or is currently located). The word hvert means "where to" and requires a verb of motion. Since the bad luck is simply starting in a spot, rather than traveling towards a destination, hvar is the correct choice.
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