Fortryði

Fortryði is an Icelandic verb meaning to regret or to feel remorse about a past action or decision. It is used to express personal sorrow for something that has already occurred, and it can be applied to a wide range of situations, from ordinary everyday choices to moral or emotional reflections. In sentences, it commonly accompanies a clause indicating what is regretted, often with the conjunction that introduces a description of the past event.

Etymology and related forms: The word is of North Germanic origin, with cognates in related languages. In modern Icelandic, fortryða is the infinitive, and fortryði is the form used in present tense in some conjugations; the verb is typically treated as irregular and its tense forms vary. Like many Icelandic verbs, the exact conjugation changes across persons and tenses, and learners are advised to consult a grammar or dictionary for complete paradigms.

Usage and nuance: Fortryði conveys a stronger sense of personal remorse than more general terms for regret. It is often used when a person wishes they could undo or undo the consequences of an action, or when expressing penitence. It can appear in everyday speech as well as in literary or formal writing. The verb is typically followed by a subordinate clause introduced by að to specify what is regretted, for example, Ég fortryði að hafa gert þetta (I regret having done this).

Grammatical notes: As a strong verb with irregular aspects, fortryða requires reference to a reliable Icelandic grammar for full conjugation across tenses and moods. In usage, it is common to pair fortryði with clauses describing past actions rather than with direct objects.