lægð

Lögð is an Icelandic word that functions primarily as a past passive participle of the verb leggja (leggja), meaning to lay or place. It is the feminine singular form and is used as an adjective or in predicative constructions, agreeing with feminine singular nouns. A common example is the sentence “Áhersla er lögð á gæði,” which translates to “Emphasis is placed on quality.” This illustrates how Icelandic participles inflect to match the gender and number of the noun they modify.

Usage and grammar: In Icelandic, past participles can act as adjectives and must agree with the noun they describe. Therefore lögð signals a feminine singular subject or object. By contrast, masculine and neuter forms exist, such as lagður (masculine singular) and lagt (neuter singular or neuter past participle form, depending on the verb class). This gender agreement is a characteristic feature of Icelandic participial morphology.

Etymology and scope: Lögð is derived from the verb leggja, a core movement verb in Icelandic with roots in Old Norse. It appears frequently in formal, written, and descriptive contexts to indicate that something has been laid or placed, whether physically or figuratively.

Usage notes: Lögð should not be mistaken for a standalone noun or for the word lög (laws). It is a grammatical form that conveys the sense of “laid” or “placed” when used with a feminine singular noun. In prose and official language, lögð is a common vehicle for describing actions or states that have been established or emphasized.

See also: leggja, lagður, lagt.