erfiðlega

Erfiðlega is an Icelandic adverb. It is derived from the adjective "erfiður," meaning difficult or hard. The suffix "-lega" is a common adverbial suffix in Icelandic, similar to "-ly" in English. Therefore, "erfiðlega" translates directly to "difficultly" or "hardly."

This adverb is used to describe an action or situation that is performed or occurs with great difficulty. For example, one might say "hann vann sér erfiðlega til lífsins," meaning "he earned his living with great difficulty." It can also describe something that is hard to achieve, understand, or endure. For instance, "þetta var erfiðlega ágengt" could mean "this was hard to approach" or "this was difficultly advanced."

The usage of "erfiðlega" implies a struggle or a significant challenge. It is not simply about being hard, but about the process of facing and overcoming that hardness. It suggests effort, strain, or perhaps even pain. The specific nuance can depend on the context in which it is used, but the core meaning revolves around the presence of significant difficulty.