Lætur

Lætur is a term used in the Icelandic language to refer to a specific verb form. It marks the third-person singular present indicative of the verb láta, which means to let, allow, or cause. When used, láta conveys that the subject enables another person or thing to perform an action, or permits it to occur. The standard causative construction in Icelandic places the subject first, followed by láta, an object (representing the person or thing affected), and an infinitive that denotes the action to be performed. The overall meaning is close to the English “let” or “have” in causative phrases, though nuance can vary with context and tone. In legal, administrative, and literary Icelandic, the form is common for expressing permission, instruction, or arranged action.

The term láta and its related forms, including látur and látur, are of central interest in the study of Icelandic grammar. Lætur functions as a finite verb form within a larger causative construction, and its use interacts with other verb forms that express permission, obligation, or causation in different ways. Learners of Icelandic typically encounter láta-based constructions early, as they are foundational for expressing how one person causes another to perform an action.