vinur

Vinur is the Icelandic noun meaning "friend." It is a masculine word, with the plural form vinir used for groups of friends. The feminine counterpart for a female friend is commonly vinkona, though in many contexts the masculine form can be used generically when the gender of the person is not specified. In everyday usage, phrases like góður vinur (a good friend) or vinir mínir (my friends) are common.

Etymology and cognates: Vinur originates in Old Norse vinr and is part of a family of words for friend in the North Germanic languages. It has close cognates in Danish ven, Norwegian ven, and Swedish vän, reflecting shared linguistic history across the Scandinavian region.

Usage and nuance: The term denotes a close, trusted relationship and can extend to companions within groups or teams, not only to intimate personal friendships. It is widely used in both casual speech and written Icelandic. The word also appears in figurative senses, such as referring to allies or supportive associates in various contexts.

Cultural context: Friendship is a valued theme in Icelandic speaking communities and literature. The word vinur carries positive connotations of trust, loyalty, and companionship, and it remains a common and versatile term in everyday language. Related concepts include félagi (companion) and vinátta (friendship).