Hægri

Hægri is an Icelandic term meaning “right” in several related senses. It most commonly denotes the right-hand side or direction, as opposed to vinstri, which means “left.” The word functions as an adjective before a noun (for example, hægri hönd = the right hand, hægri hlið = the right side) and can also be used to refer to the political right or to the right-hand side in general.

In everyday language, hægri is used for orientation and positioning, including navigation, anatomy, and geometry. For instance, phrases like “fara til hægri” describe turning or moving to the right. The term is also prevalent in discussions of politics, where it designates conservative or right-wing positions, parties, or policies, in contrast with vinstri, the left.

Etymology and cognates: The word originates in Old Norse and has cognates in other North Germanic languages, reflecting a shared historical concept of the right side across the Scandinavian languages.

Usage notes: Hægri remains a neutral term in descriptive contexts (direction, anatomy, geometry) and in political discourse, its exact connotations can vary with context and time, as with many political labels. In everyday Icelandic, the opposite concept is vinstri, meaning left.

See also: vinstri, til hægri, right-wing, left-wing.