Dative case (þágufall) for indirect objects, after certain prepositions, and with dative verbs
Can use the dative case for indirect objects, with prepositions, and with dative verbs like líka
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Mér líkar kaffi.
I like coffee.
Ég gef honum gjöf.
I give him a gift.
Barninu finnst þetta skemmtilegt.
The child finds this fun.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Þágufall (dative) er þriðja fallið. Notkun:
| Kyn | Óákveðið | Ákveðið |
|---|---|---|
| Karlkyn | hesti | hestinum |
| Kvenkyn | konu | konunni |
| Hvorugkyn | barni | barninu |
Persónufornöfn í þágufalli:
| Nefnifall | Þágufall |
|---|---|
| ég | mér |
| þú | þér |
| hann | honum |
| hún | henni |
| það | því |
| við | okkur |
| þið | ykkur |
| þeir/þær/þau | þeim |
Þágufallssagnorð: Mér líkar þetta. (I like this — literally 'This pleases me.') Subject in dative!
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesMér líkar kaffi.
I like coffee.
Mér = me (dative). Líkar = pleases. Kaffi = coffee (neuter, nominative — it's the grammatical subject!)
Ég gef honum gjöf.
I give him a gift.
Honum = him (dative of hann). Gjöf = gift (accusative, direct object). Dative = indirect object.
Barninu finnst þetta skemmtilegt.
The child finds this fun.
Barninu = the child (dative!). Finnst = finds/thinks. Another dative verb — the experiencer is in dative.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises