In everyday conversational Icelandic, you will almost always use þegar to mean "when". However, in formal written registers—such as historical texts, legal documents, and royal decrees—you will frequently encounter the temporal conjunction er.
The Formal Conjunction "er"
Syntactically, er works exactly like þegar. It simply sets a more elevated, formal tone, making it the perfect word for describing the actions of monarchs and empires.
| The king was young when the coronation began. | Kóngurinn var ungur er krýningin hófst. |
| The empire was mighty when she reigned. | Heimsveldið var voldugt er hún ríkti. |
Rulers and Laws
You will often see er used in texts detailing laws, proclamations, and the actions of rulers.
| The ruler signed the decree when he changed the laws. | Valdhafinn undirritaði tilskipunina er hann breytti lögunum. |
| The king is mighty when he signs the decree. | Kóngurinn er voldugur er hann undirritar tilskipunina. |
Conflict and Rebellion
Similarly, historical accounts of uprisings and banishments tend to use this formal register to pinpoint when major events unfolded.
| The exile was difficult when the rebellion began. | Útlegðin var erfið er uppreisnin hófst. |
| The rebellion began when the king broke the laws. | Uppreisnin hófst er kóngurinn braut lögin. |
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