það

Það is a neuter demonstrative pronoun in Icelandic, commonly translated as "it" or "that." It mainly functions as a dummy subject or as a reference to a proposition, situation, or previously mentioned content. In everyday usage it appears in sentences where the concrete subject is not the focus, or where a statement about the situation is being made.

In practice, description and examples:

- Það er kalt. It is cold.

- Það kom í ljós að hann hafði rétt fyrir sér. It turned out that he was right.

- Ég held að það sé rétt. I think that is right.

- Það sem skiptir máli er að við verðum filmes. That which matters is that we succeed. (Here það introduces a referring clause or emphasis.)

Etymology and related forms:

Það derives from the Old Norse demonstrative þat, a neuter form in the same semantic field as the modern Icelandic þat/það. It is cognate with the English that, the German das, and other Germanic languages’ neuter demonstratives. The word is used independently as a pronoun and commonly appears at the start of clauses to introduce or contextualize the content of what follows.

Grammatical notes:

- It is distinct from the demonstrative不能near forms such as þessi/þessi for near reference.

- It often functions as an existential or predicative subject, especially in impersonal constructions like “Það er…” (It is…) and “Það kom í ljós…” (It turned out…).

- In references to propositions or clauses, það can stand for the entire preceding or upcoming statement.

Overall, það is a versatile, neutral element in Icelandic syntax, central to expressing general statements, evaluating propositions, and framing discourse.