undirbýr

Undirbýr is the present tense, third-person singular form of the Icelandic verb undirbúa, which means to prepare. The infinitive is undirbúa, and the prefix undir- conveys a sense of doing something in advance or ahead of time, combined with búa, a root related to preparing or supplying. The verb is transitive and commonly takes a direct object, for example: Hann undirbýr kvöldmatinn (He is preparing the dinner).

Undirbýr is also used in phrases that indicate preparation for an event or task, such as undirbúa fyrir prófið (to prepare for the exam) or undirbúa ráðstefnu (to prepare the conference). The reflexive use, undirbúa sig, means to prepare oneself, as in hún undirbýr sig fyrir prófið (she is preparing herself for the exam).

Conjugation notes: the form shown, undirbýr, is used for he/she/it in the present tense. Icelandic verbs follow regular present-tense endings, so other persons and numbers are formed analogously with the usual endings. The past participle of undirbúa is undirbúið, and the verb participates in compound tenses with hafa or other auxiliary verbs, as in hefur undirbúið (has prepared).

Etymology: undirbúa derives from Old Norse undirbúa, combining undir- meaning pre-, in advance, with búa meaning to prepare or provide. The construction is common in Icelandic for actions taken in preparation for something.

In usage, undirbúa appears in both everyday and formal contexts, covering everyday meal preparation, planning for events, and preparatory work in professional settings.