The Definite Article

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Declension of the Definite Article

The Definite Article is used as in English only in very formal language and when an adjective precedes the noun:

Hinn sterki hestur - The strong horse.

Hin djúpa á - The deep river.

Hið ríka land - The rich land.

                Singular

        M               F               N

N       hinn            hin             hið
A       hinn            hina            hið
D       hinum           hinni           hinu
G       hins            hinnar          hins


                Plural

        M               F               N

N       hinir           hinar           hin
A       hina            hinar           hin
D       hinum           hinum           hinum
G       hinna           hinna           hinna

In normal usage, the postfixed article is used even when an adjective precedes the noun:


Djúpa áin er full af fiski – The deep river is full of fish.


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Postpositive Use

The Definite Article follows the noun when:

                Masculine

        S               P

N       hestur-inn              hestar-nir
A       hest-inn                hesta-na
D       hesti-num               hestu-num
G       hests-ins               hesta-nna


                Feminine

        S               P

N       borg-in                 borgir-nar
A       borg-ina                borgir-nar
D       borg-inni               borgu-num
G       borgar-innar            borga-nna



                Neuter

        S               P

N       skip-ið                 skip-in
A       skip-ið                 skip-in
D       skipi-nu                skipu-num
G       skips-ins               skipa-nna

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