keppni

Keppni is an Icelandic noun meaning competition or contest. It refers to organized events such as sports tournaments, academic contests, or arts and culture competitions, as well as informal contests between individuals or groups. The term can also denote rivalry in a broader sense, for example between teams, organizations, or nations. In everyday usage, keppni is used to name or describe specific events, and it commonly appears in media reports and schedules.

The verb keppa, meaning to compete or strive, is its etymological root, with cognates in other Nordic languages. In Icelandic, keppni is related to the idea of striving to win or to excel in a contest. The word samkeppni is closely related and typically refers to competition as a broader concept, such as market competition or rivalry, whereas keppni emphasizes the event or contest itself.

Translations into English include competition, contest, tournament, race, and match. Keppni is a versatile term in Icelandic, used across sports, education, culture, and everyday life to describe organized competitive activities as well as the spirit of competition.