þetta

"þetta" is a word in the Icelandic language. It is a demonstrative pronoun, functioning similarly to "this" or "that" in English. The word is inflected for gender, number, and case. For example, "þetta" itself is the neuter singular nominative and accusative form. Other forms include "þessi" (masculine nominative singular), "þessi" (feminine nominative singular), "þetta" (neuter nominative/accusative singular), "þessir" (masculine nominative plural), "þessar" (feminine nominative plural), "þessi" (neuter nominative/accusative plural), and so on.

The etymology of "þetta" traces back to Old Norse. It is related to the demonstrative pronoun "þat," meaning "that." The addition of the definite article suffix "-ta" is a common feature in the development of Icelandic demonstratives. This process distinguishes it from the more basic demonstrative pronoun "sá."

In modern Icelandic, "þetta" is frequently used to refer to things that are nearby or have just been mentioned. It can also be used more abstractly to refer to a situation or concept. For instance, "Þetta er gott" translates to "This is good." The usage of "þetta" is fundamental to constructing basic sentences and pointing out specific items or ideas within the Icelandic grammatical system. Its prevalence in everyday speech makes it one of the most commonly encountered words for learners of the language.