þarfum

þarfum is a Old Norse word meaning "we need" or "we require." It is the first-person plural present indicative form of the verb þarfa, meaning to need or require. This verb is related to the modern English word "thrive" and the German word "darben," both of which relate to scarcity or need.

The word þarfum would have been used in various contexts in Old Norse literature and daily life. For example, a farmer might say "Við þurfum regn" meaning "We need rain." A warrior might state "Við þurfum meiri vopn" meaning "We need more weapons." The concept of need was fundamental to survival and societal functioning in the Viking Age, and this verb would have been an essential part of communication.

While the word itself is no longer in common use in modern Scandinavian languages, its root and meaning are preserved in related vocabulary. Understanding words like þarfum provides insight into the linguistic heritage of the region and the ways in which ancient peoples expressed fundamental human necessities. The verb þarfa, and its inflected forms like þarfum, are important remnants of the Old Norse language, offering a glimpse into its grammatical structure and semantic range.