Frázi

Frázi is the Icelandic term for the linguistic unit known in English as a phrase. It refers to a group of words that functions as a single unit within a larger structure, such as a clause or sentence. A frázi typically does not express a complete proposition on its own and cannot stand alone as a sentence; instead it contributes meaning, detail, or function to the surrounding syntax.

In grammar, frázi are categorized by the type of head word and the role they play in a sentence. Common types include noun phrases, verb phrases, adjective phrases, adverbial phrases, and prepositional phrases. Examples include a noun phrase like “the red ball,” a verb phrase such as “to eat quickly,” an adjective phrase like “very tall,” and a prepositional phrase such as “in the garden.” Some frázi convey idiomatic meaning where the overall sense differs from the literal sum of the words.

Frázi are used as subjects, objects, modifiers, or circumstantial details within sentences. They can be expanded with determiners, adjectives, or subordinate elements, and they may be arranged or nested to create more complex expressions, a common feature in Icelandic syntax. Understanding frázi helps explain how information is organized and how different parts of a sentence relate without invoking a full clause.

See also: phrase, clause, syntax, idiom, nominal phrase, prepositional phrase.