grunnatriðunum

Grunnatriðunum is the definite plural form of grunnatriði, an Icelandic noun meaning the basic principles or fundamental tenets of a theory, argument, or system. The term is mainly used in academic, philosophical, and educational contexts to refer to the essential rules, propositions, or components that underpin a framework.

Linguistic notes: grunnatriði is a compound built from grunn- “base, foundation” and atriði “item, point.” The form grunnatriðunum occurs when the noun is plural and definite and is used in sentences with prepositions or as the object of a clause requiring the definite plural. In English translations, grunnatriðunum is commonly rendered as “the basic principles” (in the fundamental principles) or “the core tenets,” depending on context.

Usage and context: The phrase appears in discussions of theory-building, ethics, science, law, and pedagogy, where speakers enumerate the core principles that guide analysis, evaluation, or practice. It signals that a set of foundational rules or ideas is being referred to as a cohesive unit rather than as isolated points. The exact content of grunnatriðunum varies by discipline, and writers often specify the domain (e.g., grunnatriðin í sálfræði, grunnatriðin í lagfræði).

Examples:

- Í grunnatriðunum eru fjórar meginreglur sem liggja til grundvallar kerfinu. (In the fundamental principles there are four core rules that underlie the system.)

- Rannsóknir byggjast á þessum grunnatriðunum. (The research builds on these basic principles.)

See also: grunnatriði, tening, teningar.