báðir
Both (Báðir)
báðir means both: báðir bræðurnir, báðar systurnar, bæði börnin.
How It Works
Agreement. báðir is always plural and takes the gender and case of the two things:
- masculine: báðir, báða, báðum, beggja – báðir bræðurnir
- feminine: báðar, báðar, báðum, beggja – báðar systurnar
- neuter: bæði, bæði, báðum, beggja – bæði börnin
The noun often has the article (báðir bræðurnir), but not always: með báðum höndum (with both hands). The genitive beggja appears in phrases like beggja vegna (on both sides).
A mixed pair. For a man and a woman, or other mixed groups, use the neuter plural, as with þau: Pabbi og mamma eru bæði kennarar. See við/þið/þeir/þær/þau.
After the verb. báðir can follow the verb: Ég á tvær systur og þær eru báðar læknar.
bæði ... og. These joining words link two things, and bæði does not change here: Ég vil bæði kaffi og te. Hún talar bæði ensku og íslensku. For neither ... nor, see hvorki ... né.
For neither of the two, use hvorugur.
Examples (6)
- Báðir bræðurnir búa í Reykjavík.
Both brothers live in Reykjavík.
Word by Word: Both the-brothers live in Reykjavík.
- Ég á tvær systur og þær eru báðar læknar.
I have two sisters, and they are both doctors.
Word by Word: I have two sisters and they are both doctors.
- Bæði börnin sofa.
Both children are asleep.
Word by Word: Both the-children sleep.
- Pabbi og mamma eru bæði kennarar.
Dad and Mum are both teachers.
Word by Word: Dad and mum are both (n.) teachers.
A man and a woman together take the neuter bæði.
- Haltu á þessu með báðum höndum.
Hold this with both hands.
Word by Word: Hold on this with both hands.
- Ég vil bæði kaffi og te.
I want both coffee and tea.
Word by Word: I want both coffee and tea.
Common Mistakes
Not making báðir agree with a feminine noun.
Báðir systurnar búa í Reykjavík.Báðar systurnar búa í Reykjavík.systir is feminine, so use báðar.
Using the masculine for a man and a woman together.
Pabbi og mamma eru báðir kennarar.Pabbi og mamma eru bæði kennarar.For a mixed pair, use the neuter bæði, just as you use þau for them.
Keeping the nominative after a preposition.
Ég talaði við báðir.Ég talaði við báða.við takes the accusative, so báðir becomes báða.
How It Connects
Learn This First
báðir builds on allur.
Related Patterns
- hvorugurNeither of Two (Hvorugur)
The opposite: neither of the two.
Level 5 - við / þið / þeir / þær / þauPlural Personal Pronouns
The same neuter plural is used for mixed groups.
Level 1 - hvorki ... néNeither ... nor (Hvorki ... Né)
The negative partner of bæði ... og.
Level 4 - Adjectives Agree With Nouns
báðir agrees in gender and case like an adjective.
Level 1 - ogAnd (Og)
The og in bæði ... og.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice báðir in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Icelandic lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
