sei sei

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Icelandic

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Ásgeir Blöndal suggest that this is derived from a demonstrative (e.g. "that thing") related to -si (an Old Norse demonstrative adverb or suffix, used for example in þessi) and (that thing).[1] Sei does not exist in other contexts in Icelandic.

Interjection

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sei sei

  1. indicates mild surprise; oh wow; oh dear
    Synonyms: je minn, ja hér, ja hérna, jii, já, þú segir það
    Sei sei, mikil ósköp.Oh my.
  2. indicates mild disapproval; tsk tsk; hmph
    Synonyms: fuss, svei, iss
    Sei sei, segja margir íbúar Amsterdam við vaxandi fjölda ferðamanna.[2]"Hmph!" is what many people living in Amsterdam have to say about the increasing number of tourists.
  3. indicates mild emphasis; indeed
    Synonyms: svei mér þá, sannarlega
    Hinn bernski undirtónn er vissulega til staðar í öllum myndunum, sei sei jú.[3]The child-like undertone is certainly visible in all of his films, oh yes indeed.

See also

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References

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