Staðfestir

Staðfestir is an Icelandic verb meaning to confirm, verify, or certify something as true or valid. It is transitive and used when establishing the truth or legitimacy of a claim, a document, a result, or a statement. The term can appear in everyday speech as well as in formal, legal, or administrative contexts, where verification or official validation is required.

Etymology and related forms: the verb is built from the stem staðfesta, with staðfestir forming the present tense in the third person singular. Related forms include the past tense staðfesti, the past participle staðfestur (masculine), and the noun staðfesting, meaning verification or confirmation. These forms are widely used across Icelandic, from journalism to law and academia.

Usage and nuance: staðfestir often implies a process of checking evidence or criteria and arriving at a definite conclusion. It can refer to confirming a hypothesis, validating data, certifying documents, or approving regulations. In formal contexts, it carries a sense of authority or official approval; in informal settings, it can simply mean that something has been acknowledged as true.

Examples:

- Rannsóknin staðfesti kenninguna. (The investigation confirmed the theory.)

- Yfirmaðurinn staðfesti reglurnar fyrir öllum starfsmönnum. (The supervisor certified the rules for all employees.)

- Skjalið staðfestir auðkenni kaupanda. (The document verifies the buyer’s identity.)

See also: staðfesta, staðfesting, staðfestingarmál.