varið

Icelandic

Adjective

varið

1. (with "í") to have good qualities; to have merits; to be special and interesting

   Synonym: þykja mikið til einhvers koma

   Það er ekkert varið í þetta. ― This thing has no interesting qualities and I would not recommend it.

   Er eitthvað varið í þetta? ― Does this thing have any interesting qualities such that you would recommend it to me?

2. (with "þannig" or "svo") for things to be that way

   En því er ekki svo varið. ― But that is not the case.

Usage notes

This adjective only exists in the neuter and only in certain set phrases.

The first meaning is most often used with negation ("ekkert varið í þetta") or in questions that imply the assumption of a negative answer ("Er eitthvað varið í þetta?"), although it can be used positively ("Það er mikið í hann varið").

Verb

varið

1. second-person plural present indicative/subjunctive active of vara
2. second-person plural imperative active of vara
3. supine of verja

   Ég hef varið miklum tíma í þetta. ― I've spent a lot of time on this.

See also

• varinn