Hindrað

Hindrað is the neuter singular past participle of the Icelandic verb hindra, meaning to hinder or prevent. It is used primarily in passive constructions to indicate that something has been hindered or prevented, and it can also function as an adjective with neuter nouns. In sentences such as “Það var hindrað,” the form conveys that the action of hindering occurred to the subject.

The verb hindra originates from Old Norse hindra and has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, including Danish hindre, Norwegian hindre, and Swedish hindra. Like other Icelandic participles, hindrað forms part of a broader system of inflection that marks agreement with the noun it describes when used adjectivally, and sits in the neuter singular position for neuter nouns in passive contexts.

In practical use, hindrað appears in formal or written Icelandic, especially within legal, historical, or narrative prose where passive voice is common. It is the neuter singular form; other gender and number forms exist for agreement with different nouns, though hindrað itself is specifically the neuter singular participle form. As a result, hindrað functions as a participle providing a concise, passive sense of “hindered” or “prevented” in various constructions. See also hindra (to hinder) and hindrun (hindrance) for related terms.