Each and Every (hver)
hver also means each or every: á hverjum degi (every day), hvert ár (every year).
How It Works
Each and every. The question word hver also means each or every when it stands before a noun:
- hver dagur (every day), hver vika (every week), hvert ár (every year)
The neuter before a noun is hvert, not hvað: hvert barn, hvert ár.
Singular only. The noun is singular and so is the verb: Hver nemandi fær eina bók. (Each student gets one book.)
Time phrases. Everyday time phrases use the dative:
- á hverjum degi (every day), á hverjum morgni (every morning)
- í hverri viku (every week), á hverju ári (every year)
The forms are the same as the question word: masculine hver, hvern, hverjum, hvers; feminine hver, hverja, hverri, hverrar; neuter hvert, hvert, hverju, hvers.
Useful phrases.
- hver einasti = every single one: Hvert einasta barn fékk ís.
- hver og einn = each and every one
- annan hvern dag = every other day (see annar)
For all of them together, use allur: Allir nemendurnir fá bók.
Examples (6)
- Ég fer í sund á hverjum degi.
I go swimming every day.
Word by Word: I go in swim on every day.
- Við förum til Spánar á hverju ári.
We go to Spain every year.
Word by Word: We go to Spain on every year.
- Hver nemandi fær eina bók.
Each student gets one book.
Word by Word: Each student gets one book.
- Hún hringir í mömmu sína í hverri viku.
She calls her mother every week.
Word by Word: She rings in mum her-own in every week.
- Hvert einasta barn fékk ís.
Every single child got ice cream.
Word by Word: Every single child got ice-cream.
- Hann æfir annan hvern dag.
He trains every other day.
Word by Word: He trains other every day.
Common Mistakes
Using hvað before a neuter noun.
Hvað barn fékk ís.Hvert barn fékk ís.Before a noun the neuter form is hvert. hvað stands alone and is not used before a noun.
Using a plural noun after hver.
Ég fer í sund á hverjum dögum.Ég fer í sund á hverjum degi.hver means each or every, so the noun stays singular: degi.
Using a plural verb after hver.
Hver nemandi fá eina bók.Hver nemandi fær eina bók.hver nemandi is one student at a time, so the verb is singular: fær.
How It Connects
Learn This First
hver (each) builds on hver and allur.
Related Patterns
- annarOther and Second (Annar)
annan hvern dag means every other day.
Level 3 - hvað sem / hver semWhatever and Whoever
Whatever and whoever, another use of hver.
Level 4 - ýmis / sérhverVarious and Every Single (Ýmis, Sérhver)
sérhver is a more formal word for every single.
Level 5 - á sumrin / á kvöldinRegular Times (Á Sumrin)
Another way to talk about things that happen regularly.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice Each and Every (hver) in Bubblegum
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