sei sei

• sei-sei
• sei, sei

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 sá (“that thing”).[1] Sei does not exist in other contexts in Icelandic.

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.

• sisona