This is the 180th most frequent Icelandic word.
málið
"The matter," "the issue," or "the language," depending on context.
Here, 'málið' refers to 'the matter' or 'situation' in an interrogative context.
Hvað er málið?
What's the matter?
In this sentence, 'málið' means 'the issue' or 'problem' being discussed.
Málið við þetta verkefni er flókið.
The issue with this project is complex.
Here, 'málið' represents 'the subject' or 'topic' of discussion.