fáðir

Fáir is a word used in Icelandic and Faroese that means "few" or "a small number." It functions as an attributive adjective before a plural noun to indicate a limited quantity, as in phrases like fáir dagar (a few days) or fáir menn (a few men). In everyday speech and formal writing, fáir is commonly employed to contrast a small quantity with larger numbers.

Linguistic notes: Fáir is derived from a common North Germanic root and has cognates in related languages. In Old Norse, a historical precursor such as fárr exists, and modern Icelandic and Faroese retain a similar meaning. The word is written with an acute accented vowel in Icelandic, which marks a lengthened vowel sound, and its exact inflection can vary with grammatical context.

Usage considerations: As with other adjectives in Icelandic and Faroese, fáir typically agrees with the noun it modifies in number and, depending on the language, may reflect gender or definiteness in more complex constructions. It is versatile in both everyday speech and literary contexts, often used to convey modest quantities or to emphasize scarcity in contrast to larger numbers.

See also: words meaning small quantity in Germanic languages; scarcity; few.