athugaðu

Athugaðu is the second-person singular imperative form of the Icelandic verb athuga, meaning to examine, check, notice, or verify. As a directive, it is commonly used to instruct someone to perform a careful check or verification. In practice, athugaðu is used in everyday language, in safety notices, manuals, and academic or official writing when the author wants the reader to verify information or pay close attention to details.

Etymology and form: the verb athuga is built from the base huga (mind, thought) with the sense of directing one’s attention toward something, often expressed in English as to consider or inspect. The prefix or combination conveys careful attention or examination. The imperative form athugaðu is formed for the second-person singular. Related forms include ég athuga (I examine), þú athugar (you examine), and the past participle athugað (examined). The noun form athugun means an examination or inspection, while athugull describes something worthy of examination.

Usage notes: athugaðu is especially common in instructional and cautionary contexts, where a writer wants the reader to verify instructions, settings, or data. It can introduce a clause meaning “note that” or “please verify,” for example: Athugaðu nýju reglurnar áður en þú byrjar. Athugaðu hvort allt sé í lagi áður en vélin fer af stað.

See also: athuga (to examine), athugun (examination), athugaverður (noteworthy). In contemporary Icelandic, athugaðu remains a standard, neutral imperative for directing careful checking or verification.