ljóðum

Ljóðum is the dative plural form of the Icelandic noun ljóð, which means poem or poetry. In Icelandic grammar, ljóð is a neuter noun, and its dative plural is ljóðum. The form is used when the noun appears in the dative case, such as after prepositions or verbs that govern the dative, for example in phrases like í ljóðum (in poems) or með ljóðum (with poems). Ljóðum thus functions as a grammatical ending rather than a separate lexical item.

Etymology and meaning: The word ljóð derives from Old Norse ljóð, related to other Germanic terms for sound or voice. In modern Icelandic, ljóð can refer to a single poem or to poetry in general. The dative plural ljóðum simply marks that the reference is to multiple poems in a dative context.

Usage and related forms: Ljóð is used in both everyday and literary Icelandic, with the definite plural form ljóðin meaning “the poems.” The related definite dative plural is ljóðunum (the poems, in the dative). In practice, ljóðum appears primarily in written Icelandic when a sentence requires the dative case, such as after certain prepositions. In discussion of poetry more broadly, ljóð can also denote poetry as a genre or field.

See also: Icelandic grammar, noun declensions, Icelandic poetry, skaldic and poetic traditions.