hvort

Hvort is an Icelandic particle and conjunction used to introduce alternatives or indirect questions. It can mean “whether” in the sense of uncertainty, or “which (of two)” when selecting between options. In combination with sem, the phrase hvort sem expresses “whether or not.” In questions it often appears with a following finite clause, for example: Ég vil vita hvort hann kemur. Ég veit hvort hann kemur. It can also occur in interrogative phrases such as Hvort af þessum tveimur kostum villtu velja? meaning “Which of these two options would you prefer?” This usage is common in both spoken and written Icelandic.

Grammatical note: Hvort governs the clause that follows, and the verb is conjugated according to mood and tense in that clause. It functions as a conjunction element linking to a subordinate clause rather than as a standalone pronoun.

Etymology and relations: The word hvort derives from Old Norse hvárt and is related to cognates in other Germanic languages, including English “whether.” In Modern Icelandic, hvort remains a standard tool for expressing uncertainty, choice, or indirect questions across registers—from everyday speech to formal writing.

See also: Icelandic grammar; indirect questions; conjunctions in Icelandic.