ótrúleg

"Ótrúleg" is an Icelandic word that translates to "incredible," "unbelievable," or "amazing" in English. It is commonly used to express a strong sense of wonder, astonishment, or admiration. The word is an adjective and can be applied to a wide range of situations, people, or things that are perceived as extraordinary or beyond expectation.

The etymology of "ótrúleg" can be broken down into its component parts. "Ó" is a prefix that denotes negation, meaning "not" or "un-". "Trúleg" means "believable" or "credible," derived from the noun "trú" which means "belief" or "faith." Therefore, "ótrúleg" literally means "unbelievable."

In everyday Icelandic conversation, "ótrúleg" is a versatile term. It can be used to describe a breathtaking natural landscape, a remarkable achievement, a surprising event, or even a humorous situation. For instance, one might say "Ferðin var alveg ótrúleg" (The trip was absolutely incredible) or "Hann náði ótrúlegum árangri" (He achieved unbelievable success). The intensity of the emotion conveyed by "ótrúleg" can be further emphasized by adverbs like "algjörlega" (absolutely) or "svakalega" (terribly/awfully, used colloquially for "very").