Þarftu

þarftu is the second-person singular present tense form of the Icelandic verb þarf, meaning to need or to be necessary. It is used to ask whether the listener needs something or to state a need in a direct, informal way. In standard writing, the neutral form is usually two words, “þarf þú,” but in casual speech and informal texts the one-word form “þarftu” is common.

Grammatical notes: þarf is an irregular strong verb, with the present tense forms ég þarf, þú þarft, hann/hún þarf, við þurfum, þið þurfið, þeir þurfa. The form hadlay as “þarftu” combines the second-person singular present with a clitic-style contraction that is frequent in spoken Icelandic. While widely understood, “þarftu” is more colloquial than the separate two-word construction.

Usage and examples: common uses include direct questions and simple statements about necessity. Examples include: “Þarftu hjálp?” meaning “Do you need help?” and “Þarftu að fara?” meaning “Do you need to go?” or “Do you have to go?” Another example is “Þarftu það?” meaning “Do you need that?” In formal or careful prose, writers typically prefer “þarf þú” rather than the contracted form.

Etymology and variants: the verb þarf derives from Old Norse with the same meaning, and Icelandic retains a close form across historical stages. Variants include the two-word construction “þarf þú” and other inflected forms of the verb for different persons and numbers. Pronunciation is approximately as “tharf-too,” with þ representing the voiceless dental fricative.