óvelkominn

In the Icelandic language, "velkominn" is a common expression used to welcome someone. It directly translates to "welcome" in English. The word is composed of two parts: "vel" meaning "well" and "kominn" meaning "come" (past participle of the verb "koma"). Therefore, "velkominn" literally signifies "well come." It is used in various contexts, from greeting guests into a home to welcoming someone to a new job or a public event.

The grammatical form of "velkominn" changes depending on the gender and number of the person or people being welcomed. For a male, it is "velkominn." For a female, it is "velkomin." When welcoming a group of people, the plural form "velkomin" is used. This grammatical agreement is a fundamental aspect of Icelandic, reflecting its status as a highly inflected language. The usage of "velkominn" reflects a cultural emphasis on hospitality and politeness in Icelandic society, making newcomers feel embraced and appreciated.