rauð

Rauð is the Icelandic word associated with the color red. In modern Icelandic, the color is described by adjective forms that decline for gender, number, and definiteness, with rauður as the common masculine form, and other forms used for feminine and neuter and in definite constructions. The base or stem rauð appears in various inflected forms when describing objects or in compound terms.

Etymology and cognates: Rauð originates in Old Norse rauðr and ultimately from Proto-Germanic *raudaz. It has close relatives in other North Germanic languages, such as Danish rød, Norwegian rød, and Swedish röd, all reflecting a shared linguistic heritage for the color red in the Germanic family. The Icelandic form retains conservative features from its early roots while adapting to contemporary grammar.

Usage and context: The word is used in everyday Icelandic to describe red objects, colors, and manifestations of the hue, including in literature and symbolism. As a color term, it participates in standard grammatical patterns of Icelandic adjectives, with forms changing according to gender and definiteness in phrases like “rauður litur” (red color) or within compound expressions. When capitalized as Rauð, it would typically signify a proper noun, title, or emphasis in a text rather than a common noun, since the ordinary word for red is rauð/rauður in its proper inflected forms.

See also: Color terms in Icelandic; Icelandic adjectives; Old Icelandic and Norse color vocabulary.