móttöka

Móttöka is an Icelandic noun meaning reception, intake, or admissions. It denotes both the act of receiving someone or something and the place where that reception takes place. In everyday usage it is commonly applied to a front desk or reception area in a building, and to the staff who handle greetings, inquiries, and basic assistance.

In institutions and organizations, mottöka designates the administrative unit responsible for receiving people or items. This can include welcoming visitors, directing them to the appropriate department, handling registrations, or coordinating deliveries. The term is flexible and appears in contexts ranging from offices and schools to government agencies.

In compound forms, meaning is shaped by context. For example, hótelmóttaka refers to the hotel reception, while sjúkramóttaka denotes the hospital’s admissions or emergency reception area. The exact function of a móttöka event or unit can vary by organization and sector, but the core idea remains the same: a designated point or process for receiving people or items.

The word is native to Icelandic and widely used across formal and informal registers. Plural forms include móttökur. Related concepts include reception desk, admissions office, and front desk, which reflect its central role in coordinating entry and initial contact in various settings.