Segjið

Segjið is the 2nd person plural imperative form of the Icelandic verb segja, meaning "to say" or "to tell." It is used when addressing more than one person and translates roughly as "say!" or "tell [it] to us" in a direct command.

Formation and forms: The base verb is segja in its present tense: segi, segir, segjum, segið, segja. The imperative forms are segdu (singular) and segjið (plural). The plural imperative segjið is spelled with a -jið ending to reflect the standard Icelandic pattern for the 2nd person plural of -ja verbs. The form persists in everyday usage in commands, instructions, and direct requests.

Usage: Segjið is common in spoken and written Icelandic when commanding or requesting a group. Examples: Segjið mér frá atvikinu. (Tell me what happened.) Segjið beint áfram og segjið til. (Tell us what to say.) Note that the imperative is direct and can sound strong, so it is usually used with peers or subordinates in informal settings; more formal or cautious speech might avoid imperatives or soften with "vinsamlega" (please).

Etymology and related forms: Segja is a basic verb meaning "to say." Segjið is the standard 2nd person plural imperative form. The verb is cognate with related forms in other North Germanic languages, such as Swedish säga and Danish sige.

See also: segja; imperative mood; Icelandic grammar.