hvetjið

Hvetjið is the second-person plural imperative form of the Icelandic verb hvetja, which means to urge, encourage, or motivate. It is used when addressing a group, telling them to encourage someone or to take action themselves. In everyday Icelandic, the form appears in contexts ranging from sports and education to workplace settings and public exhortations, where speakers aim to rally or energize a group.

Etymology and form: hvetja is a native Icelandic verb with Old Norse cognates, and hvetjið is the plural imperative derived from the verb stem hvetj-. This form marks that the command is directed at more than one person. The corresponding singular imperative is formed differently, but hvetjið specifically denotes the second-person plural.

Usage notes: The imperative is commonly used for collective encouragement or instruction, often paired with objects or clauses that specify what is to be encouraged. It can carry a positive motivational sense or, in some contexts, a ceremonial or ritual exhortation. The tone and politeness depend on context and speaker intonation.

Examples:

- Hvetjið börnin áfram. (Encourage the children forward.)

- Hvetjið ykkur til að vinna vel. (Encourage yourselves to work well.)

See also: hvetja, hvatning, hvata.