annaðhvort

Annaðhvort is an Icelandic particle used to introduce one of two possible options, equivalent to the English word "either." It is most commonly positioned before the two alternatives and is typically followed by eða ("or"), forming phrases such as annaðhvort X eða Y.

Usage and examples

Annaðhvort is used to present a choice between two options. Examples include: Ég vil annaðhvort kaffi eða te. It is also employed in sentences where the two options are phrases or clauses: Það er annaðhvort betra að bíða eða fara strax. In many cases the two options can be nouns, adjectives, or clauses, but the word signals that only two alternatives are being considered.

Grammar and notes

Annaðhvort is a fixed unit and does not inflect for number or gender. It functions as a coordinating element within a larger clause, often in combination with eða to link the two options. While it commonly appears before a noun phrase, it can also precede short clauses, depending on the sentence structure.

Etymology

The word derives from Old Norse and combines áttið or “annað” (the other) with “hvort” (which of two). The compound has remained relatively stable in modern Icelandic as the standard way to express “one or the other.”

Related concepts

Related Icelandic terms include hvorki (neither) and hvort sem (whether), which are used in different grammatical constructions but share the general idea of presenting alternatives or possibilities.

In summary, annaðhvort is a common, invariable particle in Icelandic that marks a choice between two options, commonly paired with eða to form “alternatives X or Y.”