In Icelandic grammar, reciprocal pronouns are used to express mutual actions or feelings. They convey the notion of the object and subject influencing each other. The primary Icelandic reciprocal pronoun is “hvor öðrum”, which translates to “each other” in English. For instance, “Þeir keyptu hver öðrum gjafir” means “They bought each other gifts”. In essence, the concept of reciprocal pronouns in Icelandic helps learners better understand the nuances of this robust language.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate Icelandic reciprocal pronoun
1. Þau gáfu *hvor öðrum* gjafir. (each other)
2. Við hjálpuðum *hvor öðrum* með verkefnin. (each other)
3. Við sáum *hvor öðrum* í bókasafninu. (each other)
4. Þau segja *hvor öðrum* sannleikinn. (each other)
5. Þeir skiptu *hvor öðrum* um hús. (each other)
6. Við sendum *hvor öðrum* bréf. (each other)
7. Þau taka *hvor öðrum* í hendurnar. (each other)
8. Við teljum *hvor öðrum* blessunarnar. (each other)
9. Þau gáfu *hvor öðrum* skrifstofuvörur. (each other)
10. Þeir líta *hvor öðrum* í augu. (each other)
11. Við skiljum *hvor öðrum* vel. (each other)
12. Þau gætu ekki séð *hvor öðrum* í mjög lengi. (each other)
13. Þau segja alltaf *hvor öðrum* allt. (each other)
14. Við getum alltaf treyst *hvor öðrum*. (each other)
15. Þau hlusta alltaf á *hvor öðrum*. (each other)
2. Við hjálpuðum *hvor öðrum* með verkefnin. (each other)
3. Við sáum *hvor öðrum* í bókasafninu. (each other)
4. Þau segja *hvor öðrum* sannleikinn. (each other)
5. Þeir skiptu *hvor öðrum* um hús. (each other)
6. Við sendum *hvor öðrum* bréf. (each other)
7. Þau taka *hvor öðrum* í hendurnar. (each other)
8. Við teljum *hvor öðrum* blessunarnar. (each other)
9. Þau gáfu *hvor öðrum* skrifstofuvörur. (each other)
10. Þeir líta *hvor öðrum* í augu. (each other)
11. Við skiljum *hvor öðrum* vel. (each other)
12. Þau gætu ekki séð *hvor öðrum* í mjög lengi. (each other)
13. Þau segja alltaf *hvor öðrum* allt. (each other)
14. Við getum alltaf treyst *hvor öðrum*. (each other)
15. Þau hlusta alltaf á *hvor öðrum*. (each other)
Exercise 2: Translate the following English sentences into Icelandic, using the appropriate reciprocal pronoun
1. They see *hvor öðrum* at the library. (each other)
2. We helped *hvor öðrum* with the project. (each other)
3. They always tell *hvor öðrum* the truth. (each other)
4. They gave *hvor öðrum* office supplies. (each other)
5. We can always trust *hvor öðrum*. (each other)
6. They couldn’t see *hvor öðrum* for a very long time. (each other)
7. We always listen to *hvor öðrum*. (each other)
8. They exchange *hvor öðrum* houses. (each other)
9. We gave *hvor öðrum* gifts. (each other)
10. They look into *hvor öðrum*’s eyes. (each other)
11. We count our blessings for *hvor öðrum*. (each other)
12. They always tell *hvor öðrum* everything. (each other)
13. They take *hvor öðrum*’s hands. (each other)
14. We understand *hvor öðrum* well. (each other)
15. We sent *hvor öðrum* letters. (each other)
2. We helped *hvor öðrum* with the project. (each other)
3. They always tell *hvor öðrum* the truth. (each other)
4. They gave *hvor öðrum* office supplies. (each other)
5. We can always trust *hvor öðrum*. (each other)
6. They couldn’t see *hvor öðrum* for a very long time. (each other)
7. We always listen to *hvor öðrum*. (each other)
8. They exchange *hvor öðrum* houses. (each other)
9. We gave *hvor öðrum* gifts. (each other)
10. They look into *hvor öðrum*’s eyes. (each other)
11. We count our blessings for *hvor öðrum*. (each other)
12. They always tell *hvor öðrum* everything. (each other)
13. They take *hvor öðrum*’s hands. (each other)
14. We understand *hvor öðrum* well. (each other)
15. We sent *hvor öðrum* letters. (each other)
