þungt

þungt is the neuter singular form of the Icelandic adjective þungur, meaning heavy, weighty, or burdensome. It describes objects with substantial mass as well as metaphorical heaviness, such as a difficult task or a solemn mood. Examples: Borðið er þungt. It is heavy the table. Það er þungt að bera. It is heavy to carry.

In Icelandic, adjectives agree with nouns in gender, number, and definiteness. The form þungt is used with neuter singular nouns, for example: Borðið er þungt. The masculine and feminine forms differ, and other inflected forms appear in plural or with definite nouns, but þungt specifically marks neuter singular usage.

Etymology and cognates: The word derives from Old Norse and the broader North Germanic family, with the same meaning. In many modern North Germanic languages, related forms exist with similar meaning: Swedish tungt, Norwegian tungt, and Danish tungt. These cognates reflect a shared Germanic heritage for the concept of heaviness.

Uses and nuances: Beyond physical weight, þungt can describe density, seriousness, or gravity of a situation, as in phrases that convey heaviness of burden or atmosphere. It is a common descriptive term in everyday Icelandic and appears in literature and journalism to convey tangible or figurative weight.

See also: heavy, weight, burden, Icelandic adjectives.