ábyrgd

Ábyrgð is a central concept in Icelandic language and law. It refers to the obligation to answer for one’s actions or decisions and to bear the consequences that follow. The term covers both moral accountability and legal liability, and it is used in everyday speech as well as in professional and governmental contexts.

The word is rooted in the notion of bearing a burden. In Icelandic usage it describes duties and obligations that a person, an organization, or a public body has toward others, and the expectation that those duties will be fulfilled.

Types of ábyrgð include personal or moral responsibility, which concerns one’s own choices; and legal liability, which arises under law. Legal liability can stem from contractual obligations, when a party fails to fulfill a contract, or from fault or negligence that causes harm. In some legal traditions liability can be strict, meaning compensation is owed regardless of fault, or it can be fault-based, requiring proof of negligence. Together these forms determine who must compensate damages or provide redress.

In practice, managing ábyrgð involves risk assessment, insurance, and adherence to professional and ethical standards. It influences governance, corporate accountability, and everyday decisions by individuals and families. The concept remains central to discussions of justice, responsibility, and social order.