Aðstaða

Aðstaða is an Icelandic noun with two principal senses. In its broad sense it means the state or condition of something or someone—the circumstances or situation in which a person or object exists. This usage is common in everyday speech when describing general status or condition.

In its more concrete sense aðstaða refers to facilities or amenities that are provided for use. This includes physical infrastructure in buildings, venues, and institutions, such as seating, restrooms, accessibility features, equipment, and other conveniences intended to support activity or participation. The term is widely used in planning, administration, and policy to indicate what resources are available.

The word is formed from the root staða (place, position) with the prefix að-, yielding a broad concept of "situation" or "facilities." In official contexts, aðstaða is often paired with modifiers such as fatlaðra to discuss accessibility and equality of access, or with the name of an institution to specify what is provided.

Related terms include aðbúnaður (equipment, facilities), aðstæður (circumstances), and húsnæði (premises). The plural aðstæður refers to conditions or circumstances in a broader sense, while singular aðstaða can denote the facilities of a location.

See also: aðbúnaður; aðstæður; húsnæði; aðgengi.