Learning Icelandic can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. One of the nuances that often confuses learners is the difference between the words nú and núna. Both words translate to “now” in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts in Icelandic. Understanding when to use each term can significantly enhance your fluency and comprehension.

Understanding nú and núna

In Icelandic, nú and núna are both adverbs that indicate the present time, similar to “now” and “right now” in English. However, there are subtle differences in their usage that are important to grasp.

nú – Now

The word nú is used to indicate the present moment in a general sense. It is somewhat more formal and less immediate than núna. You might use nú in a variety of contexts, such as giving instructions, telling a story, or making a general statement about the present.

nú: now (in a general sense)

Ég er að lesa bók nú.

In this sentence, nú is used to indicate that the action of reading the book is happening at the present moment, but it does not emphasize immediacy.

núna – Right Now

The word núna is used to emphasize immediacy. It is more commonly used in everyday conversation to stress that something is happening at this very moment. When you want to convey a sense of urgency or immediate action, núna is the word to use.

núna: right now (emphasizing immediacy)

Ég er að lesa bók núna.

Here, núna emphasizes that the action of reading the book is happening right at this very moment, giving a sense of urgency or immediacy.

Contextual Examples

To further illustrate the differences between nú and núna, let’s explore more examples in different contexts.

Instructions

When giving instructions, the choice between nú and núna can change the tone of the command.

nú: now (general instruction)

Farðu að þvo þvott nú.

In this case, the instruction to go do the laundry is given in a general sense without emphasizing immediacy.

núna: right now (immediate instruction)

Farðu að þvo þvott núna.

Here, the instruction emphasizes that the laundry needs to be done immediately.

Narrative

When telling a story or recounting events, the use of nú and núna can affect the pacing and urgency of the narrative.

nú: now (general narrative)

Hún kom inn í herbergið og nú var allt í lagi.

In this sentence, nú is used to indicate that everything is fine at the present moment in the story without emphasizing immediacy.

núna: right now (immediate narrative)

Hún kom inn í herbergið og núna er allt í lagi.

Here, núna adds a sense of immediacy, indicating that everything is fine right at this very moment in the story.

Common Phrases and Expressions

In Icelandic, there are several common phrases and expressions that use nú and núna. Understanding these can help you sound more natural and fluent.

Common Phrases with nú

núna ekki: not now (general)

Ég get ekki talað núna.

This phrase indicates that the speaker cannot talk at the moment but without urgency.

nú er lag: now is the time (general)

Nú er lag til að byrja verkefnið.

This phrase suggests that it is a good time to start the project.

Common Phrases with núna

núna strax: right now, immediately

Ég þarf að fara núna strax.

This phrase emphasizes that the speaker needs to leave immediately.

núna er komið að því: now is the time (immediate)

Núna er komið að því að við byrjum.

This expression indicates that it is time to start right now.

Practice Exercises

To help solidify your understanding of nú and núna, here are some practice exercises. Try to translate the following sentences into Icelandic, choosing the correct word between nú and núna.

1. I am eating dinner now.
2. We need to leave right now.
3. She is studying now.
4. Call me right now.
5. The meeting starts now.

Answers

1. Ég er að borða kvöldmat nú.
2. Við þurfum að fara núna.
3. Hún er að læra nú.
4. Hringdu í mig núna.
5. Fundurinn byrjar nú.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between nú and núna is essential for mastering Icelandic. While both words translate to “now” in English, their usage in Icelandic conveys different levels of immediacy. nú is more general and formal, while núna emphasizes immediacy and is more commonly used in everyday conversation. By practicing and incorporating these words into your speech, you’ll become more fluent and nuanced in your use of Icelandic.