búast

Búast is an Icelandic verb meaning to expect, anticipate, or look forward to something. It expresses that an event or outcome is likely or hoped for, rather than certain. The sense covers weather, events, outcomes, and future plans. The verb is most commonly used with the preposition við to specify what is being anticipated, as in constructions that convey that something is being anticipated. It can also appear in impersonal or formal constructions, especially in journalism or official statements, to indicate that an event is expected to occur.

Etymology and related forms: Búast is of Old Norse origin and has cognates in other Nordic languages. It forms part of a broader family of verbs dealing with expectation and readiness. In Icelandic, it can appear in various tenses and moods, including impersonal expressions that signal expectation.

Usage notes: In everyday language, búast is used for both concrete forecasts (such as weather) and more speculative or conditional expectations (such as market developments or outcomes of plans). It is often contrasted with vænta, which more directly means to hope or to expect and can carry a more subjective nuance. In grammar, búast commonly collocates with a noun phrase indicating what is expected and may appear in present or past contexts, including passive-like constructions such as “Það er búist við…” to indicate anticipation.

Translations: The closest English equivalents are to expect, to anticipate, and to look forward to. The choice between búast and vænta depends on nuance and formality.

See also: vænta, vænting, expect.