Eitt

Eitt is the neuter singular form of the Icelandic cardinal number one. In Icelandic, the numerals agree with the grammatical gender of the noun they modify: einn is used with masculine nouns, ein with feminine nouns, and eitt with neuter nouns. Beyond counting, eitt can also function as a pronoun referring to a single item when the gender is neuter or when the noun is implied.

In everyday use, ett is attached to neuter nouns in the singular to indicate a single item, as in eitt hús (one house) or eitt barn (one child, if the noun is neuter). For masculine or feminine nouns, the corresponding forms einn or ein are used, such as einn maður (one man) or ein kona (one woman). Icelandic numerals decline with case and number, so their forms can change in different syntactic contexts.

Eitt also appears in various expressions and constructions that emphasize singularity or identity, and it can stand alone as a numeral pronoun in certain contexts, similar to the English “one.” The word has roots in Old Norse and remains a basic element of Icelandic grammar and daily speech.

Overall, eitt is a fundamental numeral and determiner in Icelandic, signaling the quantity one with neuter nouns and contributing to the broader system of gender- and case-aware numerals in the language.