raunverulegur

Raunverulegur is an Icelandic adjective meaning real, actual, or veritable, and it is used to describe things, depictions, or events that correspond to reality rather than fantasy or abstraction. In English, it is often translated as "realistic" or "true-to-life."

Etymology: The term is a compound of raun, meaning reality or truth, and verulegur, meaning substantial or genuine. The combination emphasizes authenticity or correspondence with the real world. Like many Icelandic adjectives, it inflects for gender, number, and case (raunverulegur, raunveruleg, raunverulegt, raunverulegar, etc.).

Usage: In Icelandic, raunverulegur is used in literary criticism, journalism, and everyday language to characterize representations as authentic or to refer to the real world. Phrases such as raunverulegur heimur (the real world) or raunverulegir atburðir (real events) are common. In discussions of art, film, or narrative, it may be used to contrast with fantastical, mythical, or exaggerated portrayals.

See also: raunveruleiki (reality, actuality); realism as a broader concept; real-world.