aðeins

Aðeins is a common Icelandic adverb meaning "only," "merely," or "just." It serves to limit the scope of a statement, an assertion, or a description, signaling that what follows is restricted in degree or quantity.

In modern Icelandic, aðeins is typically placed immediately before the word or phrase it modifies, though the exact position can vary for emphasis or rhythm. It can also appear at the beginning of a clause to foreground limitation. It does not change the grammatical form of the words it modifies, and its behavior aligns with standard Icelandic word order and morphological patterns.

The word often functions to hedge or soften claims, contrasting with stronger terms when a speaker wishes to express partiality, partial agreement, or provisional truth. It is generally considered neutral, though its nuance can shift with context. In more formal writing, speakers may choose other terms such as einungis to adjust tone, while aðeins remains widely understood in everyday speech.

Aðeins can modify adjectives, adverbs, verbs, or entire clauses, to convey partial extent rather than absolute judgment. Its use is common across different registers, making it a staple in both spoken and written Modern Icelandic. For learners, recognizing aðeins helps with accurate translation and a natural-sounding style when expressing restriction or modestty in statements.