hækkun

Hækkun is an Icelandic noun meaning an increase or rise in a quantity, level, or value. It denotes a change where a value is higher than before and is used across economics, statistics, and everyday language. Common occurrences include price increases (verðhækkun) and wage increases (launahækkun). The word can also refer to more general growth in numbers, though in Icelandic other terms such as aukning are often used depending on context.

Etymology: Hækkun is derived from the verb hækka, to raise or increase. The noun is formed by nominalization of the verb. The term shares its root with related words in other Nordic languages.

Usage: In official statistics and reporting, hækkun describes increases in prices, costs, wages, or measured quantities. The term is often paired with lækkun to denote the opposite, meaning a decrease. In everyday language, hækkun can refer to any rise, including non-economic contexts such as a rise in temperatures or levels.

Notes: Hækkun emphasizes that the value is higher than a previous point; for broader growth or expansion, the synonym aukning is sometimes used.

See also: hækka, which is the verb meaning to raise; aukning, a related noun for increase.