What Does búinn að Mean?
The phrase búinn að is commonly used in Icelandic to express that someone has finished or completed an action. It is similar to the English present perfect, such as “have done,” “have finished,” or “have just done.” However, búinn að specifically emphasizes that the action is completed and that the result is relevant to the present moment.
Literal Translation
Literally, búinn means “finished” or “done,” and að means “to.” Combined, búinn að translates roughly as “finished to (do something).” However, this construction does not translate word-for-word into English, so understanding its use in context is key.
How to Form the búinn að Construction
The structure of búinn að is relatively straightforward:
- The verb vera (to be) in the appropriate form for the subject
- The correct form of búinn, which agrees in gender and number with the subject
- að followed by the infinitive of the main verb
Here is the general template:
[Subject] + er/ert/erum/eru + búinn/búin/búið/búnir/búnar/búin + að + [infinitive]
Agreement with Subject
Búinn changes its form to match the gender and number of the subject:
- búinn – masculine singular
- búin – feminine singular or neuter plural
- búið – neuter singular
- búnir – masculine plural
- búnar – feminine plural
Examples
- Ég er búinn að borða. (I have finished eating.) – male speaker
- Ég er búin að borða. (I have finished eating.) – female speaker
- Við erum búnir að læra. (We have finished studying.) – group of males or mixed genders
- Við erum búnar að læra. (We have finished studying.) – group of females
- Það er búið að loka. (It has been closed.) – neuter subject
When Should You Use búinn að?
Búinn að is used when you want to emphasize that an action has been completed and is no longer ongoing. It is often used in everyday conversation to talk about things you or someone else have just finished doing.
Common Contexts
- After finishing work or a task: Ég er búinn að vinna. (I have finished working.)
- After eating: Við erum búnir að borða. (We have finished eating.)
- After completing errands: Hún er búin að versla. (She has finished shopping.)
- Talking about events: Það er búið að snjóa. (It has finished snowing.)
How is búinn að Different from the Present Perfect?
While the English present perfect (“I have done”) and búinn að often overlap in meaning, there are important differences:
- búinn að always refers to the completion of the action, not just its occurrence in the past.
- The English present perfect can be used for actions that have occurred at an unspecified time, but búinn að implies the action has just finished or its result is immediately relevant.
- Some verbs in Icelandic prefer the simple past or other constructions instead of búinn að, so context matters.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Forgetting to match búinn to the subject’s gender and number. Always check the form!
- Using búinn að with stative verbs like “to be” or “to know” where it doesn’t make sense. Reserve it for actions that can be completed.
- Using búinn að when the action is ongoing. If you are still doing something, use the present tense.
Practice Makes Perfect
To master búinn að, try using it in your daily language practice. Write sentences about things you have just finished, or listen for it in Icelandic media and conversations. The more you practice, the more natural it will become.
Conclusion
The búinn að construction is a fundamental part of Icelandic grammar that allows you to communicate completed actions clearly and naturally. By understanding its meaning, structure, and proper usage, you can enhance your Icelandic skills and avoid common mistakes. For more tips on learning Icelandic and other languages, check out the resources and AI-powered tools available on Talkpal’s language learning blog.
