Sögnin

Sögnin is the Icelandic term for the verb, the part of speech that denotes actions, processes, or states and serves as the predicate in a sentence. The noun sögn means “the verb” in a general sense, while sögnin is its definite form, used when the verb is treated as a specific item in grammar descriptions or dictionaries.

In Icelandic grammar, verbs are inflected for person and number in finite clauses, and for mood, tense, and voice. Finite forms express present and past time and can combine with auxiliary verbs to form perfect and pluperfect aspects. Non-finite forms include the infinitive and the participles (present and past). Verbs are traditionally grouped into conjugation classes, notably strong and weak verbs, which differ in their past tense formation; irregular verbs are common.

Word order in main clauses is typically verb-second (V2), meaning the finite verb occupies the second position, with the subject or other elements preceding it. Subordinate clauses often place the verb later in the clause. Verbs carry agreement markers that reflect the subject’s person and number, and voice is usually active; passive constructions are formed in various ways depending on the verb.

Linguistic descriptions use sögnin as the term for the verb itself when analyzing grammar, morphology, or syntax. In dictionaries and grammar guides, sögnin appears as the category name for the verb and is distinguished from other parts of speech such as nouns and adjectives.