Tíðum

Tíðum is an Icelandic adverb meaning often or frequently. It is used to describe actions or events that occur repeatedly over time and is found in both everyday speech and written Icelandic.

In usage, tíðum typically modifies a verb, but it can also appear at the beginning or end of a clause for emphasis. Examples include: "Hún fer tíðum í göngu" (She goes for a walk frequently) and "Hann kemur tíðum heim seinn" (He comes home late often). The choice between tíðum and other frequency terms can depend on formality, region, and context.

Etymology and related forms: tíðum is connected to the Icelandic word tíð or tíð, meaning time or period, and to other forms that express time, repetition, or frequency. In modern Icelandic, tíðum sits among adverbs of frequency alongside terms like oft and reglulega, with nuance differences that can affect emphasis and register.

Usage notes: tíðum is somewhat more literary or formal than everyday alternatives such as oft or reglulega. In contemporary speech, many speakers may prefer oft for a straightforward meaning of “often,” while tíðum can add a sense of regularity or pattern over time. It is versatile in both narrative and descriptive writing.

See also: oft; reglulega; tíðni; tími.