of + Adjective

Too (Of)

Level 2

of + adjective or adverb means too: Þetta er of dýrt (This is too expensive).

How It Works

The pattern. of goes directly before the word it describes:

  • adjectives: of dýrt (too expensive), of stór (too big), of litlir (too small)
  • adverbs: of hratt (too fast), of seint (too late), of mikið (too much)

Agreement. of does not change. The adjective after it agrees with its noun: Skórnir eru of litlir (The shoes are too small), Þetta er of dýrt.

Too ... to. Add til að + infinitive: Það er of kalt til að synda (It is too cold to swim).

Two kinds of "too". English uses too for two things. of is only for too much. For also, Icelandic uses líka: Ég kem líka (I'm coming too).

Related words. mjög means very and sits in the same place: mjög dýrt. The opposite of of is nógu, enough: ekki nógu stórt (not big enough).

Examples (6)

  1. Þetta er of dýrt.

    This is too expensive.

    Word by Word: This is too expensive.

  2. Það er of kalt til að synda.

    It is too cold to swim.

    Word by Word: It is too cold to swim.

  3. Þú talar of hratt.

    You speak too fast.

    Word by Word: You speak too fast.

  4. Skórnir eru of litlir.

    The shoes are too small.

    Word by Word: The-shoes are too small.

  5. Hún kom of seint í vinnuna.

    She came to work too late.

    Word by Word: She came too late to the-work.

  6. Ég borðaði of mikið.

    I ate too much.

    Word by Word: I ate too much.

Common Mistakes

  • Using líka (also) for "too" meaning "too much".

    Þetta er líka dýrt.
    Þetta er of dýrt.

    Þetta er líka dýrt means This is also expensive. For too expensive, use of.

  • Adding mikið between of and the adjective.

    Þetta er of mikið dýrt.
    Þetta er of dýrt.

    of goes straight before the adjective. of mikið is used on its own: Ég borðaði of mikið.

How It Connects

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

of + AdjectiveLevel 2Too (Of)

Learn This First

of builds on mjög.

Words in This Pattern

oftil að