fyrst

Since, Seeing That (Fyrst)

Level 4

Fyrst þú ert hérna geturðu hjálpað mér. (Since you're here, you can help me.) Fyrst borðum við. (First we eat.)

How It Works

fyrst = since, seeing that. Use it for a reason that both people already know. The clause has normal subordinate order: fyrst + subject + verb.

  • Fyrst þú ert hérna getur þú hjálpað mér. (Since you're here, you can help me.)
  • Fyrst það rignir förum við ekki í göngutúr. (Since it's raining, we won't go for a walk.)
  • Fyrst svo er ... (Since that's the case ...)

When this clause comes first, it takes first place, so the main clause begins with its verb: Fyrst þú ert hérna getur þú hjálpað mér, or with the clitic, geturðu. In speech you will also hear fyrst að.

fyrst = first. As an adverb it puts things in order. At the start of a sentence, the verb comes right after it:

  • Fyrst borðum við, svo förum við í bíó. (First we eat, then we go to the cinema.)
  • Hver kom fyrst? (Who came first?)
  • fyrst og fremst (first and foremost)

The difference. Fyrst borðum við (verb, then subject) means First we eat. Fyrst við borðum (subject, then verb) begins a reason: Since we're eating ...

Compare af því að (because), which gives new information, and þar sem, which also gives a known reason.

Examples (5)

  1. Fyrst þú ert hérna geturðu hjálpað mér.

    Since you're here, you can help me.

    Word by Word: Since you are here can-you help me.

    The reason clause comes first, so the main clause starts with geturðu.

  2. Fyrst það rignir förum við ekki í göngutúr.

    Since it's raining, we won't go for a walk.

    Word by Word: Since it rains go we not in walk.

  3. Fyrst borðum við, svo förum við í bíó.

    First we eat, then we go to the cinema.

    Word by Word: First eat we, then go we in cinema.

    Here fyrst means first, so the verb comes right after it.

  4. Hver kom fyrst?

    Who came first?

    Word by Word: Who came first?

  5. Fyrst svo er ætla ég að bíða.

    Since that's the case, I'll wait.

    Word by Word: Since so is intend I to wait.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the subject first after a fronted fyrst-clause.

    Fyrst þú ert hérna þú getur hjálpað mér.
    Fyrst þú ert hérna getur þú hjálpað mér.

    The fyrst-clause takes first place, so the main clause begins with the verb getur.

  • Using clause order when you mean first.

    Fyrst við borðum.
    Fyrst borðum við.

    With the subject right after fyrst, it means since and the sentence is unfinished. To say First we eat, put the verb right after fyrst.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

fyrstLevel 4Since, Seeing That (Fyrst)

Learn This First

fyrst builds on subordinate word order.

Words in This Pattern

fyrstfyrst