Sjálfstæða

Sjálfstæða is a grammatical form in Icelandic. It is the feminine singular accusative form of the adjective sjálfstæður, which means independent. In Icelandic, adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number and case, so forms like sjálfstæða appear when the modified feminine noun is in the accusative case.

Usage and examples

Sjálfstæða is commonly used in everyday and formal language to describe something done or regarded as independent. Examples include phrases such as sjálfstæða ákvörðun (an independent decision) and sjálfstæða hugsun (an independent thought). The form also appears in sentences where the feminine noun is the direct object or otherwise requires the accusative case, for instance when describing actions performed on or about a feminine noun.

Morphology and related forms

As the feminine singular accusative form, sjálfstæða is one of several inflected endings for the adjective. The base form of the adjective is sjálfstæður (masculine), with feminine and other forms adjusted to match the noun they describe. Comparative and superlative forms follow the regular pattern for Icelandic adjectives, for example sjálfstæðari (more independent) and sjálfstæðast (most independent), though exact usage can depend on spelling rules and definiteness.

Context and meaning

In semantic terms, sjálfstæða conveys autonomy, self-reliance and independence. It can be used in political, philosophical, social and personal contexts to emphasize independence or self-sufficiency. It is not a standalone noun but an inflected adjective form; the corresponding noun for the abstract concept of independence is usually sjálfstæði.

See also

sjálfstæði, sjálfstæður, sjálfstjórn, autonomy, independence.