gamall
The Old Norse word for 'old' when describing a living being is gamall.
This adjective is used to describe a living being that has lived for relatively many years.
Meaning: of a living being: having lived for relatively many years (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
When expressing age, such as in the phrase tólf vetra gamall, the word vetra (winters) is used instead of 'years' to denote the passage of time.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form gamall is the masculine singular nominative form, used when describing a male person or a masculine noun. When modifying plural nouns in the nominative case, the adjective takes the form gamla.
Did you know?
- The concept of being gamall was often linked to wisdom and legal authority in Norse society, where the 'old' were seen as the keepers of the law.
- The root of 'gamall' is tied to the concept of 'growing' or 'nourishing', suggesting that being 'old' was viewed as a result of being well-nourished or having grown.
- In the poetic language of the Eddas, 'old' is often expressed through complex kennings rather than the simple word gamall.
Examples in context
- Hann var tólf vetra gamall.He was twelve years old.This sentence shows how to express a person's age using the word gamall.Tatoeba #12431912 by Barend, translation #12431914 by Barend
- Samson konungr er nú orðinn gamall maðr.King Samson has now become an old man.This sentence demonstrates using gamall to describe a man who has become old.Tatoeba #12431573 by Barend, translation #12431576 by Barend
- Hann var gamall maðr.He was an old man.
- Hann er gamall maðr.He is an old man.
Example conversation
Helga and Ivar are talking about a neighbor.
- HelgaEr sá maðr gamall?Is that man old?
- IvarJá, hann er mjög gamall.Yes, he is very old.
- HelgaHver er hann?Who is he?
- IvarHann er nábarni okkar.He is our neighbor.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gamall, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
