Näll

Núll is the Icelandic word for the number zero. In Icelandic writing, the numeral zero is represented by the digit 0, and núll also serves as the spoken name for the value in mathematical contexts. It is used in arithmetic, measurements, dates, and to denote the absence of quantity. The term derives from the Danish nul, which itself goes back to the Latin nullus, reflecting the broader adoption of Hindu-Arabic numerals in Europe.

Historically, the concept of zero as a number and as a placeholder originated in India and was transmitted to Europe via the Islamic world. Icelandic scholars encountered Hindu-Arabic numerals through Latin scientific and mathematical texts in the medieval period, which led to the incorporation of the zero symbol and the decimal system in Icelandic mathematics and science. The Icelandic word núll was formed within the Scandinavian language milieu, likely modeled on the Danish nul.

In contemporary Icelandic, núll is used across mathematics, science, computing, and everyday contexts. The decimal system is the standard for writing numbers, as in many other languages that use Hindu-Arabic numerals. The digit 0 and the word núll are integral to Icelandic numeration, calculations, and digital technologies.