náum

náðum is the first-person plural past tense form of the Icelandic verb ná, which means to obtain, reach, or achieve. As a grammatical form, náðum expresses that “we obtained” or “we reached” something in the past. It is distinct from the noun nám, which means education or studies, and from other tenses and voices of the same verb.

In ordinary usage, náðum is followed by a direct object or an inferred goal. For example, Við náðum markmiðum okkar. translates to “We achieved our goals.” The form is used in plain past narration or statements about past success.

There is also a reflexive form related to the idea of managing or succeeding, written as nálgumst or náðumst depending on the construction. The common expression við náðumst að ljúka verkefninu means “we managed to finish the project.” The reflexive form emphasizes the successful completion of an effort rather than merely obtaining something.

Etymology and related forms: the verb ná is of Old Norse origin and cognate with other Germanic languages’ roots for reaching or obtaining. In Icelandic, verbs with similar meanings share related but distinct inflected forms across persons and numbers, with náðum being one such past-tense plural form.

Notes: náðum is sometimes confused with the noun form nám, which has a different meaning and pronunciation. When discussing grammatical forms, it is important to distinguish verb forms like náðum from unrelated nouns that happen to be spelled similarly.