komdu hingað
The English phrase "come here" is komdu hingað in Icelandic.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative form of the verb koma (to come) and the adverb hingað (to here).
Did you know?
- Icelandic is a highly conservative language, meaning the way you say komdu hingað today is nearly identical to how Vikings would have spoken it over a thousand years ago.
- The word hingað is a contraction of the Old Norse phrase hinn veg at, which literally means 'this way to'.
- While 'come here' is a direct command in English, using komdu hingað in Iceland can sometimes sound much more forceful or urgent than it does in English.
Examples in context
- Komdu hingað og hjálpaðu mér.Come here and help me.Tatoeba #673105 by Swift, translation #61596 by CK
- Komdu hingað Jane og farðu þangað Jim.You come here, Jane, and you go over there, Jim.Tatoeba #383478 by Swift, translation #53849 by CP
- Komdu hingað.Come here.Tatoeba #845923 by Swift, translation #39944 by Swift
- Komdu hingað, ég þarf að tala við þig.Come here, I need to talk to you.
Example conversation
Sigríður is calling Jón to show him something in the garden.
- SigríðurJón, komdu hingað!Jón, come here!
- JónHvað er að gerast, Sigríður?What is happening, Sigríður?
- SigríðurSjáðu þessa fallegu blómin.Look at these beautiful flowers.
- JónJá, þau eru virkilega falleg.Yes, they are really beautiful.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hingað, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
