líkjast

Líkjast is an Icelandic verb meaning to resemble or to be similar to. It is used to describe when one person or thing shares likeness with another in appearance or in character. The construction typically links the subject to the entity it resembles, and the resemblance can concern physical features, behavior, or other attributes.

In usage, líkjast appears in descriptions of likeness between people, animals, objects, or places, and it can be used in both contemporary and past contexts. It is common in descriptive writing, storytelling, and everyday speech when noting how someone or something reminds one of another. The sense can cover a wide range, from family resemblances to stylistic similarities between works or places.

Grammatically, likrast behaves like a standard Icelandic verb in terms of agreement and tense. The exact form changes with person, number, and mood, but the core meaning remains that of resemblance. The construction often involves a complement that specifies the thing being compared, sometimes aided by possessive forms or comparative phrases such as eins og "like" or "líkt og" in accompanying clauses.

Etymology-wise, likjast comes from the adjective lík- meaning "like" or "similar," augmented with a reflexive/middle-voice suffix. It shares its semantic field with related forms such as the adjective lík and the verb líkja (to resemble). For further study, consult standard Icelandic dictionaries and grammar references.