The "Me" Verbs: Mastering Aukafallssagnir in Icelandic
If you have ever tried to say "I dream" in Icelandic as Ég dreyma, you have likely been corrected. That is because Icelandic has a special category of verbs where the subject is not the "doer" but the "experiencer."
In these sentences, you don't say "I" (Ég). You say "Me" (Mig or Mér). These are called Impersonal Verbs (Ópersónulegar sagnir).
The Golden Rule
With these verbs, two things happen:
The Subject Changes Case: You must use the Accusative (Mig/Dig/Hann) or Dative (Mér/Þér/Honum) instead of the Nominative.
The Verb Freezes: The verb always stays in the 3rd person singular (usually ending in -ar, -ir, or -ur), no matter how many people are speaking.
- Incorrect: Við löngum í ís. (We want ice cream).
- Correct: Okkur langar í ís. (Us wants ice cream).
Þolfallssagnir (Accusative Verbs)
These verbs usually describe physical sensations, biological needs, or deep-seated feelings. You use Mig / Þig / Hann / Hana / Okkur.
The "Body & Needs" List
Mig dreymir (I dream): Mig dreymdi illa í nótt. (I had a bad dream last night).
Mig svengir (I am hungry): Okkur svengir alltaf eftir sund. (We are always hungry after swimming).
Mig þyrstar (I am thirsty): Þig þyrstar eftir hlaupið. (You are thirsty after the run).
Mig syfjar (I am getting sleepy): Barnið syfjar fljótt í bílnum. (The child gets sleepy quickly in the car).
Mig svimar (I am dizzy): Hana svimar ef hún stendur upp of hratt. (She gets dizzy if she stands up too fast).
Mig verkjar (I feel pain): Mig verkjar í bakið. (My back hurts / I have pain in the back).
The "Mental State" List
Mig langar í (I want / desire): Mig langar í nýjan bíl. (I want a new car).
Mig vantar (I need / am missing something): Jón vantar pening. (Jón is missing money).
Mig grunar (I suspect): Mig grunar að hann sé heima. (I suspect that he is home).
Mig minnir (I recollect / It seems to me): Mig minnir að þetta sé rétt. (I recall that this is correct).
Þágufallssagnir (Dative Verbs)
These verbs often describe opinions, emotional reactions, success, or how things "seem" to you. You use Mér / Þér / Honum / Henni / Okkur.
The "Opinion & Perception" List
Mér finnst (I think / My opinion is): Mér finnst Ísland fallegt. (I think Iceland is beautiful).
Mér þykir (I think / feel / like - often stronger/fonder than finnst): Mér þykir vænt um þig. (I care about you / I am fond of you).
Mér sýnist (It appears to me / I gather): Mér sýnist veðrið vera vont. (It looks to me like the weather is bad).
Mér líkar (I like): Mér líkar vel við kennarann. (I like the teacher).
The "Reaction & Event" List
Mér bregður (I am startled/shocked): Mér brá þegar þú öskraðir. (I was startled when you screamed).
Mér leiðist (I am bored): Krökkunum leiðist í skólanum. (The kids are bored at school).
Mér tekst (I succeed / manage to): Mér tókst að læra íslensku! (I managed to learn Icelandic!).
Mér seinkar (I am delayed / late): Fluginu seinkar um klukkutíma. (The flight is delayed by an hour).
The "Chameleon" Verbs (Personal vs. Impersonal)
Some verbs can be used both ways, but the meaning changes completely. This is what your notes refer to as "ýmist venjulegar eða aukafallssagnir."
The Classic Example: Líða
This verb is the best example of how grammar changes meaning.
Impersonal (Dative): How you feel When discussing health or emotion, it is impersonal. The feeling comes to you.
- Mér líður vel. (I feel good).
- Hvernig líður þér? (How do you feel?).
Personal (Nominative): To pass (time) When discussing time passing, the subject (Time) is doing the action. It is Nominative.
- Tíminn líður hratt. (Time passes fast).
- Helgin leið allt of hratt. (The weekend passed way too fast).
Learn More
→ Indefinite Pronouns in Icelandic
→ Icelandic pronunciation practice
Photo by Einar H. Reynis
