sýkja

Sækja is an Icelandic verb with several related meanings. The core sense is to fetch or go and bring something, as in the expression að sækja vatn, meaning to fetch water. It also covers seeking or pursuing something, particularly in the common phrase sækjast eftir, meaning to strive for or pursue a goal.

In addition, sækja is used for applying for something. The construction sækja um is standard, for example sækja um styrk (to apply for a grant) or sækja um starf (to apply for a job). In legal language, sækja mál gegn einhverjum expresses the idea of bringing a case or suing someone.

Grammatical notes and related forms: sækja is the root of several derived words, such as sækjast, which conveys striving or aspiring. The verb participates in standard Icelandic conjugation, and its various senses often depend on the preposition or particles used with it, such as um in the sense of applying or eftir in the sense of pursuing.

Etymology and cognates: sækja comes from Old Norse and has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, such as Swedish söka and Danish søge, all linked to the broad notion of seeking, obtaining, or moving toward something.

Usage overview: the verb covers practical actions (fetching), aspirational or strategic actions (seeking, pursuing), and formal actions (applying for resources or positions) as well as legal action (bringing a case). Its versatility makes it a common and multifunctional element of Icelandic expression.