Sjálfsagðar

Sjálfsagðar is an Icelandic word that translates to "self-evident" or "obvious" in English. It is used to describe something that is so clear or apparent that it does not require any explanation or proof. The term is derived from the Icelandic words "sjálfur" meaning "self" and "sagður" meaning "said" or "told," thus literally meaning "self-said."

The concept of sjálfsagðar is important in Icelandic culture and everyday language. It can refer to truths, facts, or actions that are considered universally understood or accepted without question. For example, one might say that it is sjálfsagðar to help a neighbor in need, implying that this is a basic moral obligation that requires no further justification.

In philosophical contexts, sjálfsagðar can relate to self-evident truths or axioms, which are foundational statements that are accepted as true without proof and serve as the basis for further reasoning. While the direct translation is straightforward, the nuanced understanding of sjálfsagðar in Icelandic can also carry a sense of intuitive understanding or common sense. It implies a shared societal understanding that makes certain things inherently clear to those within that context.