ætlan

Aetlan is a feminine noun in Icelandic that denotes an intention, a plan, an aim, or a purpose. It can refer to a personal goal as well as to an objective in a project, policy, or organization. In modern Icelandic, ætlun is used in both everyday speech and formal writing to describe what someone intends to do, or what an entity intends to achieve within a broader program.

The term is closely linked to the verb ætla (to intend or plan) and shares its root with related Old Norse forms. The noun is formed from this verb stem and functions in discourse to express deliberate actions or future-oriented commitments. Inflectional forms include ætlun in the singular, ætlunir in the plural, with the definite forms ætlunin (singular) and ætlunarnar (plural).

In usage, ætlun often appears in sentences about plans, intentions, or strategic aims. It can stand alone as a statement of intent or appear in conjunction with other nouns to specify objectives within a larger framework. Common synonyms and closely related concepts include markmið (goal) and tilgangur (purpose), which are frequently used in similar contexts such as planning documents, speeches, and discussions of projects or policy.

Overall, ætlun functions as a concise way to refer to what someone intends to accomplish, ranging from personal resolutions to formal aims within institutions. Its use reflects Icelandic emphasis on explicit intention in both everyday language and formal discourse.