áhættur

Áhættur is an Icelandic word used to denote danger or hazard. In contemporary usage it can function as an adjective meaning dangerous or hazardous, and as a noun referring to a hazard or risk. The term is common in safety guidance, occupational health, environmental risk, and regulatory contexts, where it helps identify conditions, processes, or objects that require caution or mitigation.

Etymology: The form arises from the prefix á- combined with the root hætta, which means danger or risk. The combination conveys a state of being at risk or presenting danger. The word is related to other Icelandic terms for danger and risk, such as hætta (danger, risk) and hættulegur (dangerous).

Usage notes: In technical and legal Icelandic, áhættur frequently appears in compounds or as part of safety classifications, such as references to hazard levels or hazardous areas, though exact compounds may vary by domain or standard. The term functions alongside other safety terms to communicate where extra precautions are needed. In translations, áhættur is often rendered as hazard, danger, or risk, depending on context and grammatical usage.

See also: Hætta, Hættulegur, Áhætta (where applicable in Icelandic safety and risk literature). These related terms form part of the broader vocabulary used to discuss safety, risk assessment, and protective measures in Icelandic.