Ólöglegt

ólöglegt is an Icelandic adjective meaning illegal or unlawful, used to describe actions, activities, or conditions that are prohibited by law or contrary to legal norms. It appears in everyday speech as well as in media and official texts to label behavior that falls outside what the law allows. For example, phrases like "ólöglegt að stela" translate to “illegal to steal,” and "ólöglegt athæfi" refers to illegal conduct. The word can modify a noun directly, as in "ólöglegt verk," or appear in predicative constructions such as "Það er ólöglegt" (that is illegal).

Etymology and form: Ólöglegt is formed from the negating prefix ó- attached to löglegt, which derives from lög (law) with the usual Icelandic adjective suffix. The form "ólöglegt" is the neuter singular form commonly used in predicative position, while other gender and number forms follow standard Icelandic adjective inflection rules.

Usage and nuances: In legal and public discourse, ólöglegt denotes violations of statutes, regulations, or customary legal norms. It is typically contrasted with löglegt (legal, lawful) and lögleitt/löglett forms used in contexts about legality or legalization. While the core meaning is clear—something that the law prohibits—tone and register can vary with context, from formal legal definitions to everyday warnings or media reports.

See also: law, legality, illegality, Icelandic legal terminology.