Efni

Efni is an Icelandic noun that translates roughly as material, substance, matter, or content depending on context. It is used for tangible substances that make up objects as well as for abstract material such as the subject matter of a text, a film, or a discussion.

In science and engineering, efni refers to substances with definable composition and properties that can be studied, tested, and used in manufacturing. The term encompasses a wide range of materials, from liquids and powders to solids, and it is central to discussions of how materials behave and how they are processed.

In everyday language, efni also denotes the content or material of something. This includes the information contained in a document, the topics covered in a course, or the material presented in media and communications. The word thus functions across contexts to connect physical stuff with informational or thematic content.

The precise sense of efni is determined by its context. When talking about physical form, it points to matter and substances. When used with media, education, or information, it signals content and subject matter. The term is versatile and appears in technical, educational, and colloquial Icelandic, illustrating how one word can cover both material reality and the content that informs understanding.