fortryða

Fortryða is an Icelandic verb meaning to regret, to repent, or to feel remorse for something one has done or failed to do. It is used to express remorse about past actions, decisions, or missed opportunities, and can refer to moral, personal, or practical consequences. The word often appears with a subordinate clause introduced by að, as in ég fortryði að hafa gert þetta, meaning I regret having done this.

Etymology and cognates: fortryða is part of a broader North Germanic family. It is cognate with Danish fortryde and Norwegian fortryde, both meaning to regret. The Icelandic form is rooted in Old Norse fortryða, and the concept has parallels in related languages, reflecting a shared concern with remorse and repentance.

Usage and grammar: fortryða is used as a finite verb in various tenses and moods. A typical construction is with an infinitive clause introduced by að to link the regret to a preceding action: ég fortryði að hafa gert þetta. The verb can take standard Icelandic tense forms and is often combined with adverbial phrases to indicate degree or immediacy of regret.

Common nuances: the sense of fortryða ranges from mild disappointment to moral remorse, and it is commonly used in formal and informal discourse. It can express responsibility for one’s actions, a desire for change, or lament over consequences.

Examples: Ég fortryði að hafa sagt þessi orð. Hann fortryddi að hafa hafnað henni. These illustrate regret about statements and decisions.

See also: regret, repentance, remorse, apology.