LýsingarorðA1

Adjectives — Basic Agreement

Adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case (strong declension basics)

Learning Goal

Can make adjectives agree with nouns in gender, number, and case in basic sentences

Exam Skills:VISC-A1

Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?

Stór hestur er á bænum.

A big horse is on the farm.

Ég hef góða bók.

I have a good book.

Þetta er gott kaffi.

This is good coffee.

Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?

Íslensk lýsingarorð beygjast eftir kyni, tölu og falli nafnorðsins. Sterk beyging (óákveðin):

KynNefnifall et.Þolfall et.Nefnifall ft.
Karlkynstórurstóranstórir
Kvenkynstórstórastórar
Hvorugkynstórtstórtstór

Annað dæmi — góður (good):

KynNefnifall et.Þolfall et.
Karlkyngóðurgóðan
Kvenkyngóðgóða
Hvorugkyngottgott

Athugið: Lýsingarorðið stendur á undan nafnorðinu: stórur hestur, stór bók, stórt barn.

Using the masculine form for all genders (*stórur kona). Forgetting that neuter often has -t ending (gott, stórt). 🇬🇧 English speakers: English adjectives don't change at all — 'big dog/big cat/big house'. Must learn all 9+ forms.

Stór hestur er á bænum.

A big horse is on the farm.

Stór-ur = masculine form for hestur.

Ég hef góða bók.

I have a good book.

Góða = feminine accusative. Adjective changes even when noun doesn't.

Þetta er gott kaffi.

This is good coffee.

Gott = neuter form. góður → gott (consonant assimilation).

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course
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