Markaðnum

Markaðnum is the definite dative singular form of the Icelandic masculine noun markaður, which means “market.” In Icelandic, nouns decline for case, number, and definiteness, so the dictionary form is markaður (indefinite nominative), while the definite forms appear with suffixes, such as markaðurinn (definite nominative), markaðinn (definite accusative), and markaðnum (definite dative).

The form markaðnum is used after prepositions and in constructions that require the dative case, often to indicate location or movement relative to the market. Common examples include phrases with á, til, or frá: Ég er á markaðnum (I am at the market). Ég geng frá markaðnum (I am leaving the market). These uses show how markaðnum functions as the noun in a dative, definite context.

Usage notes and related forms: markaður refers to the concept or the place in general. The definite dative form markaðnum appears primarily in spoken and written Icelandic when the speaker is describing a specific market in relation to other elements in the sentence. In longer phrases, the definite form helps to signal specificity and grammatical connections with prepositions.

Etymology and related terms: markaður derives from Old Norse markaðr, linked to the word for market or trading place, and has cognates in other Scandinavian languages. The related forms include the untreated indefinite markaður and the definite nominative markaðurinn, with markaðinn and markaðnum serving as other case endings in the definite paradigm.

See also: markaður, markaðurinn, Icelandic grammar, Icelandic declension.