sjálfstæðu

Sjálfstæðu is an Icelandic noun that denotes independence or autonomy. It can refer to political independence of a country, as well as personal or organizational self-sufficiency. In political discourse it is used to discuss sovereignty and self-government; in everyday language it can describe the ability to act independently and take responsibility.

The base form of the concept is sjálfstæði; sjálfstæðu is one inflected variant that appears in certain grammatical contexts. The term is connected to related forms such as the adjective that expresses independence and to other words built from the same root, emphasizing self-ownership and self-governance. In Icelandic, nouns and adjectives are declined to fit case and definiteness, so different inflected forms of the word occur in sentences.

Etymology-wise, the word is formed from the root sjálf- meaning self, plus a suffix that creates abstract nouns indicating a state or condition. The overall sense is the state of being self-directed or self-governing. The concept spans political, social, and personal dimensions, reflecting both national sovereignty and individual or organizational autonomy.

In Icelandic history and public discourse, sjálfstæði has been central to discussions of sovereignty and self-determination. A notable milestone often cited is Iceland’s move to full sovereignty in 1944, when the country became a republic and established its independent status on the international stage.

See also: autonomy, independence (political), self-government.