viðhversu

Viðhversu is an Icelandic word that translates to "how much" or "to what extent" in English. It is a common interrogative adverb used to inquire about quantity, degree, or intensity. The word is formed by combining "við" which can mean "at" or "by" in certain contexts, and "hversu" which itself means "how". This etymology suggests a sense of measuring something against a certain point or standard.

In practice, viðhversu is used in a variety of questions. For example, one might ask "Viðhversu mikið kostar þetta?" (How much does this cost?). It can also be used to inquire about the degree of something, such as "Viðhversu erfitt var það?" (How difficult was it?). The word implies a desire for a specific measurement or an understanding of the scale of something. Its usage is flexible and depends heavily on the context of the conversation. Understanding viðhversu is key to comprehending and forming many basic questions in the Icelandic language.