ákalla

Ákalla is an Icelandic verb meaning to urge, exhort, or call upon someone to take a specific action. It is used in formal or persuasive contexts, such as government statements, public campaigns, or religious and civic discourse, where an actor asks others to do something.

Etymology and grammar: The form derives from kalla "to call" with the prefixed á- and is attested in Old Norse and Modern Icelandic. It is a transitive verb that takes a direct object (the entity being urged) and is often combined with til to introduce the purpose, as in asking someone to do something. Example usages: Ríkisstjórnin ákalla almenning til að spara orku. Hann ákallaði starfsfólk til að koma saman til fundar.

Usage notes: In contemporary Icelandic, ákalla appears mainly in official, journalistic, or rhetorical contexts; it is less common in casual speech. The related noun is ákall, meaning an appeal. See also kalla.