þungur

Þungur is an Icelandic adjective meaning heavy, weighty, or burdensome. It describes physical heaviness as well as figurative weight, such as a heavy workload or a serious topic. For example, a stone that is hard to lift can be described as þungur, and a demanding task can be referred to as a þungt verkefni or a þungt mál in context. The word can also convey gravity or solemnity in tone or style.

Etymology and cognates: The word derives from the Proto-Germanic root *þungaz, meaning “heavy.” It has cognates in other Germanic languages and appears in Old Norse as þungr. Icelandic retains the core form and uses it in modern language, with inflected variants to agree with gender, number, and definiteness.

Usage and grammar: In modern Icelandic, adjectives such as þungur inflect to agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and definiteness. The basic indefinite masculine form is commonly cited as þungur, with corresponding feminine and neuter forms and additional definite forms that follow standard Icelandic adjective declension. The word is used both in literal descriptions of weight and in metaphorical senses, including descriptions of people, tasks, or discourse that carry considerable gravity.

See also: heavy (adjantrelated Germanic roots), Old Norse, Icelandic grammar.