hálfs

Hálfs is the genitive singular form of the Icelandic noun hálf, meaning "half." It is used when indicating that a quantity is half of something, especially in phrases where the following noun is in the genitive case. In practice, hálfs commonly appears in compound expressions that translate to “half of X,” with the noun that follows appearing in its genitive form.

Etymology and grammar: The word hálf derives from Old Norse hálfr and is part of a small class of numerals that decline to agree with the noun they modify. The genitive singular form hálfs is produced in order to attach to a following noun that is themselves in genitive or possessive constructions, enabling phrases such as “half of” a specified unit or object. Icelandic expresses fractions through these forms rather than a separate fixed numeral in all contexts, making hálfs a key element in fractional expressions.

Usage notes: Hálfs is common in both written and spoken Icelandic when precision "half of" is intended. It often appears before a noun in genitive form to specify the object of the half, such as a time span, quantity, or measurement. Because Icelandic grammar requires agreement between the numeral and the following noun, the exact form can vary with case and gender of the following noun in more complex phrases. In some contexts, speakers may prefer alternative constructions, but hálfs remains a standard and widely understood form for expressing halves.

See also: Half (unit), Fraction (mathematics), Icelandic grammar, Hálf (Icelandic noun).