tólf

Tólf is the Icelandic cardinal number for twelve. It is used in counting, and in expressions of time and quantity. In constructions with five or more items, the noun following tón is typically put in the plural, so you would encounter phrases like tólf dagar (twelve days) or tólf menn (twelve men).

Etymology and cognates: Tólf belongs to the Germanic family of numerals. It is cognate with Dutch twaalf, German zwölf, Danish tolv, Swedish tolv, and Norwegian tolv, all of which derive from a common Proto-Germanic root for the number twelve. The form fechar with the Icelandic orthography shows the distinctive ás accent on the o.

Pronunciation and usage: The word is pronounced with a long o, approximately like tolv, with the emphasis on the first syllable. As a basic cardinal, tólf is used in a wide range of contexts where twelve is required, from counting objects to indicating time and dates.

Notes: Icelandic numerals above small values typically interact with the noun in a way that favors the plural form for the counted noun, as described above. Tólf is a stable, standalone numeral and does not change to agree with the noun in common modern usage. Its cognates across Germanic languages reflect a shared historical development of the number twelve.