Hundurinn

Hundurinn is the definite singular form of the Icelandic noun hundur, meaning dog. In everyday Icelandic, hundurinn translates to “the dog” in English and is used when the dog being referred to is known to the speaker or has been previously mentioned.

Grammatically, hundur is a masculine noun. Icelandic marks the definite form by a suffix rather than a separate article. The basic noun forms are: singular indefinite hundur, singular definite hundurinn, plural indefinite hundar, and plural definite hundarnir. Adjectives and determiners agree with the noun in gender, number, and case, so phrases such as góður hundurinn (the good dog) illustrate how the definite suffix interacts with modifiers.

Etymology and relatives: hundur comes from Old Norse hundr and is cognate with related Germanic words for dog, such as the Icelandic form and similar terms in other Scandinavian languages. In English, the cognate appears as hound, reflecting a common Germanic root.

Usage notes: hundurinn is used when the dog is specific or previously identified, while hundur is used for a general or indefinite reference. The definite suffix is attached directly to the noun, and Icelandic does not use a separate definite article in front of the noun. The term is common in ordinary speech and writing and appears in literature, media, and everyday references to dogs.