systir

Systir is the Icelandic word for sister. It is a feminine noun used in everyday language to refer to a female sibling. In contemporary Icelandic, the phrase "mín systir" means “my sister,” illustrating how possessive adjectives accompany the noun.

Etymology and cognates aid in understanding its place in the Germanic language family. Systir appears in Old Norse as systir, and it shares common ancestry with other Germanic words for sister, such as Danish søster, Norwegian søster, and Swedish syster, as well as the English word sister. These forms reflect a shared Proto-Germanic origin for the term across related languages.

Grammar and usage notes are straightforward for learners. Systir is declined as a feminine noun within Icelandic grammar, and it is used in standard possessive constructions, such as "systir mín" (my sister) and "systir þín" (your sister). Like other kinship terms, it forms part of everyday family vocabulary and appears in literary and spoken Icelandic alike. The word functions primarily as a common noun referring to a female sibling, rather than as a term of address or a title.

Cultural and linguistic context emphasizes its role as a basic kinship term in Icelandic. Its close resemblance to related Germanic forms highlights broader historical connections among Nordic languages. For further context, see entries on Old Norse, Icelandic grammar, and the Germanic cognate terms in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and English.