mér finnst
Opinions (Mér Finnst)
Give your opinion with mér finnst: Mér finnst kaffi gott (I like coffee). Ask for one with Hvað finnst þér? (What do you think?).
How It Works
The person is in the dative. finnast is one of the verbs with an oblique subject. The person who thinks or feels is in the dative (mér/þér/honum/henni):
- mér finnst (I think / I find)
- þér finnst (you think)
- honum / henni finnst (he / she thinks)
- okkur finnst (we think)
- ykkur finnst (you all think)
- þeim finnst (they think)
The pattern. person (dative) + finnst + thing + adjective. The adjective matches the thing in gender and number, as in adjective agreement:
- Mér finnst kaffi gott. (kaffi is neuter)
- Mér finnst íslenska skemmtileg. (íslenska is feminine)
- Mér finnst hann skemmtilegur. (hann is masculine)
Liking things. Mér finnst ... gott is the most natural way to say you like food or drink. Mér finnst gaman að + infinitive means you enjoy doing something: Mér finnst gaman að dansa. See also mér líkar and hafa gaman af.
Asking. Hvað finnst þér? (What do you think?) and Finnst þér þetta gott? (Do you like this?).
Opinion, not a guess. finnast gives your own view or impression. When you are unsure about a fact, Icelanders say ég held að ... (I think that ...).
Plural things. When the thing is plural, the verb usually becomes finnast: Mér finnast kleinur góðar (I like kleinur). You will meet this again in nominative objects.
Examples (6)
- Mér finnst kaffi gott.
I like coffee.
Word by Word: Me finds coffee good.
gott is neuter to match kaffi.
- Hvað finnst þér?
What do you think?
Word by Word: What finds you?
- Mér finnst íslenska skemmtileg.
I think Icelandic is fun.
Word by Word: Me finds Icelandic fun.
skemmtileg is feminine to match íslenska.
- Henni finnst gaman að dansa.
She enjoys dancing.
Word by Word: Her finds fun to dance.
- Okkur finnst Reykjavík falleg borg.
We think Reykjavík is a beautiful city.
Word by Word: Us finds Reykjavík beautiful city.
- Finnst þér þetta gott?
Do you like this?
Word by Word: Finds you this good?
Common Mistakes
Using the nominative ég, as with most verbs.
Ég finnst kaffi gott.Mér finnst kaffi gott.finnast takes the dative: ég becomes mér.
Using the accusative mig instead of the dative.
Mig finnst þetta gott.Mér finnst þetta gott.finnast takes the dative mér, unlike langa, which takes the accusative mig.
Not matching the adjective to the thing.
Mér finnst kaffi góður.Mér finnst kaffi gott.kaffi is neuter, so the adjective takes the neuter form gott.
How It Connects
Learn This First
mér finnst builds on the dative pronouns.
Related Patterns
- Subjects in the Dative or Accusative
The group of verbs whose subject is not in the nominative.
Level 2 - mér líkarLiking (Mér Líkar)
Another dative verb for saying what you like.
Level 2 - mig langarWanting (Mig Langar)
A verb with an accusative subject, so compare mig langar with mér finnst.
Level 1 - Adjectives Agree With Nouns
The adjective after finnst agrees with the thing.
Level 1 - hafa gaman afEnjoying Things (Hafa Gaman Af)
Another way to say you enjoy something.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice mér finnst in Bubblegum
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