átta

átta is the Icelandic word for the cardinal number eight. It is used when counting and appears in everyday expressions such as eight days, for example in the common phrase átta dagar meaning eight days. The spelling reflects Icelandic orthography, with an accented first vowel and a double t.

Etymology and related forms: átta comes from the Proto-Germanic root for eight and is cognate with several other Germanic languages. Related forms include Norwegian åtte, Danish otte, and Swedish åtta. These languages retain closely related pronunciations and spellings, illustrating a shared historical development of the eight from the Germanic parent language.

Usage in Icelandic: as a basic cardinal number, átta functions like other numerals when counting nouns. It is used before nouns to denote quantity and aligns with standard Icelandic numeral usage. In historical or linguistic references, átta is often noted for its enduring presence in North Germanic languages and its role in illustrating the family resemblance among the numbers eight across these languages.

See also: eight in other Germanic languages; numeral systems in Icelandic.

Overall, átta is a core numeral in Icelandic, linking modern usage to its Nordic linguistic heritage and its broader Germanic roots.