Definite Article
The definite article always uses the same number of "n" which means that it doesn't matter whether it's added as a suffix to the word or written as a separate word.
Example:
- Separate word: Hin skemmtilega kona. - "The funny woman"
- Suffixed: Skemmtilega konan.
Example:
- Separate word: Hinn hávaxni maður. - "The tall man"
- Suffixed: Hávaxni maðurinn.
Two "n" are used whenever a possessive pronoun has got "i" (minni, minnar, minn, minna..).
One "n" is used whenever a possessive pronoun has got' 'í' (mínum, míns, mína, mín..).
The number of "n" in a possessive pronoun always corresponds to the number of "n" of the definite article of the same form:
Example:
- Hesturinn. → Minn hestur. - "The horse" → "My horse" (Nom. Sg. Masc.)
- Hestinum. → Mínum hesti. - "To the horse" → "To my horse" (Dat. Sg. Masc.)
- Ákvarðananna. → Minna ákvarðana. - "Of the choices" → "Of my choices" (Gen. Pl. Fem.)
Read more about this topic: N-rule
Famous quotes containing the words definite and/or article:
“God is the efficient cause not only of the existence of things, but also of their essence.
Corr. Individual things are nothing but modifications of the attributes of God, or modes by which the attributes of God are expressed in a fixed and definite manner.”
—Baruch (Benedict)
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