Gagnrýnir

Gagnrýnir is an Icelandic term most often translated as criticisms, critiques, or reviews. The singular gagnrýni refers to a critical assessment, while the plural gagnrýnir denotes multiple critiques or pieces of criticism. The word is used in contexts ranging from scholarly analysis to media reviews and everyday evaluative commentary, and can describe both formal judgments and informal reactions to a work, idea, or action. In philosophy, literature, and journalism, gagnrýnir can signal the reception of an argument or work by critics.

Grammatically, gagnrýnir is the plural nominative and accusative form of gagnrýni, and it is also the present tense, third-person singular form of the verb gagnrýna, meaning to criticize. Because the spelling is identical for noun plural and the verb form, context is needed to determine whether the sentence refers to several criticisms or to someone who critiques. The distinction between predicate and object also depends on sentence structure.

Uses and norms: In Icelandic media, gagnrýnir are published critiques of art, literature, film, or policy. In academic discourse, critics may present gagnrýnir of theories or methods as part of scholarly debate. Ethical critique emphasizes clarity, evidence, and attention to what the critique is addressing, rather than personal attack, and distinguishes argument from mere dismissal. The term can carry evaluative connotations, but it is not inherently negative.

See also related terms such as gagnrýni (criticism, critique) and gagnrýnin (the act of criticism).