einkamálum

Einkamálum is the dative plural form of the Icelandic noun einkamál, meaning private matters or personal affairs. The term is used to refer to topics that are not public and often require discretion in discussion or reporting. In everyday language it signals a focus on aspects of life that are kept private or confidential.

Etymology and form: Einkamál is a compound of einka- meaning private and mál meaning matter or affair. The suffix -um marks the dative plural, so einkamálum is used after prepositions that govern the dative or when referring to multiple private matters in a context such as "um einkamálum."

Grammatical notes: Icelandic nouns change form by number and case. Einkamálum appears when the noun is plural and in a dative position, for example after prepositions like um or með in phrases describing private matters. The base form einkamál is neuter and behaves accordingly in declension.

Usage and context: The concept denotes topics intended to remain private, and it is common in personal conversations, journalism, and discussions of privacy and personal life. The related term einkalíf refers to private life, while persónuvernd covers privacy rights and data protection. In media and law, einkamál can be invoked to emphasize discretion and respect for individuals’ private affairs.

See also: einkalíf, persónuvernd, privacy, confidentiality.