harðir

Harðir is an Icelandic word that functions as the plural form of the adjective harður, meaning hard, tough, or harsh. It is used to describe physical hardness, severe conditions, or people and behavior that are resolute or stern. In Icelandic, adjectives decline for gender, number, and definiteness, so harðir is the masculine or mixed-gender plural form, while harðar is the feminine plural form.

Etymology and cognates: harður derives from Old Norse harðr, a term that has cognates across the Germanic languages. Related forms in closely related languages include Norwegian hard, Danish hård, and English hard, reflecting a common semantic heritage for describing firmness or severity.

Usage: Harðir appears in everyday Icelandic and in literary or journalistic contexts to convey intensity or resilience. Examples include harðir vindar (strong winds), harðar aðstæður (harsh conditions), and harðir menn (tough men). The word can describe objects, environments, and people, and it frequently appears in compound expressions such as harðfiskur, although that compound uses a different stem meaning “dry” or “hard” in another sense.

Notes: Beyond its plain meaning, the term can carry evaluative nuance, signaling admiration for perseverance or, conversely, criticism of rigidity. As with many Icelandic adjectives, exact form depends on the gender and definiteness of the noun it modifies, so harðir is not universally interchangeable with harðar or other inflected forms.

See also: Old Norse harðr, Icelandic harður, related Germanic cognates, and the broader set of Icelandic adjectives describing physical or moral toughness.