hendur

Hendur is the Icelandic plural noun meaning “hands.” It is the everyday term used to refer to the hands of people and, by extension, the forelimbs of animals. The singular form is hönd, and hendur is used for the plural in ordinary speech and writing.

Etymology and cognates: Hendur derives from the Proto-Germanic word for hand, and is cognate with English hand, German Hand, Dutch hand, and Swedish hand. In Icelandic, as in other Germanic languages, the word shows how the concept of a hand has been central to tools, craft, and manual labor across closely related languages.

Usage and grammar: Hendur is a plural noun and follows standard Icelandic number agreement. When referring to both hands in a definite sense, the form hendurnar is used in contexts that require a definite noun phrase. The word appears in everyday language, literature, and idiomatic expressions related to manual action, skill, injury, or care.

Cultural notes: In Icelandic literature and folklore, hands are often symbolic of work, dexterity, or physical effort. The term is common in descriptions of craft, medicine, sports, and daily tasks, reflecting the central role of manual activity in daily life.

See also: Hönd (hand, singular), Hand (in English and other Germanic languages), List of Icelandic nouns.