Viðkvæmt

Viðkvæmt is an Icelandic adjective meaning sensitive or delicate. It is used to describe things that require careful handling, discretion, or special care, including physical materials, topics, or conditions that are easily affected by external factors. The sense can be physical, emotional, or contextual, conveying a need for tact or prudence.

Grammatical note: viðkvæmt is the neuter singular form of the adjective viðkvæmur. It agrees with neuter singular nouns. The masculine and feminine forms are viðkvæmur and viðkvæm, respectively. Examples: viðkvæmt mál (a delicate matter), viðkvæmt efni (a sensitive material). The sentence Mál er viðkvæmt translates to “The matter is delicate.” For plural or gendered references, other forms are used accordingly.

Context and usage: in everyday Icelandic, the word often appears in formal or careful discourse, such as discussions of delicate subjects, fragile processes, or situations that require tact. When referring to information, Icelandic commonly uses viðkvæm with plural nouns to denote sensitive data (viðkvæm gögn). The choice between viðkvæmt, viðkvæmur, and viðkvæm hinges on the noun’s gender and number and the specific sense of sensitivity being conveyed.

See also: Icelandic adjectives, Icelandic grammar, linguistic terminology for semantic nuance.