Kveðja

Kveðja is an Icelandic word with several related senses. As a verb, kveðja means to greet someone or to bid them farewell, depending on context. The core sense is to address another person in a friendly or respectful way, whether in person, by phone, or in writing. In everyday speech one may say something like “Ég kveð þig,” meaning “I greet you,” or use the verb in phrases that denote offering regards during an encounter.

As a noun, kveðja refers to a greeting or salutation. In written Icelandic, the term describes the closing formula used to sign off a message. In letters and emails, it is common to end with lines such as “Með bestu kveðjum” or simply “Kveðja,” followed by the sender’s name. These closings function as polite signals of formality and friendliness.

History and usage: The word is native to Icelandic and has long-standing use in both informal conversation and formal correspondence. In contemporary communication, it remains a standard option for polite closings, although other phrases such as “Með bestu kveðjur” or “Kærar kveðjur” may appear depending on the level of formality and personal style.

See also: In Icelandic etiquette, closings in correspondence are an established convention, with variation across registers from casual to formal. Kveðja sits alongside other greeting and closing formulas used in speech and writing.