Traust

Traust is a noun in Icelandic and Old Norse that denotes trust, confidence, or reliance. It refers to the expectation that another party will act in accordance with commitments or norms. In everyday Icelandic, traust covers both personal trust and trust in institutions such as government, media, or businesses. The term can also describe a quality of character—being trustworthy or reliable.

Etymology and cognates: Traust derives from a Proto-Germanic root associated with fidelity and reliability, linked to languages such as English (trust) and German (Treue) and Dutch (trouw). The Icelandic term preserves this core sense of faithfulness and dependability, and similar concepts appear across Germanic-language traditions.

Usage and significance: In Icelandic society and scholarly discussion, traust is a central concept for understanding how people relate to one another and to institutions. Sociologists and economists study social traust as a factor in governance, markets, and cooperation. The word also appears in legal and financial language to describe arrangements grounded in confidence in a custodian, manager, or process.

See also: trust, confidence, social capital, fidelity.