Animals

1. hundur

   Dog

   Usage

   Use it to ask whether you may pet a dog or to say you are afraid of dogs

   Grammar Note

   Masculine, definite "hundurinn"

2. köttur

   Cat

   Usage

   Use it to mention a cat allergy or look for a lost cat

   Grammar Note

   Masculine, definite "kötturinn". The vowel changes in the plural "kettir"

3. fugl

   Bird

   Usage

   The basic word when pointing out a bird while birdwatching

   Grammar Note

   Masculine, definite "fuglinn", plural "fuglar"

4. fiskur

   Fish

   Usage

   Use it when ordering fish or talking about fishing

   Grammar Note

   Masculine, definite "fiskurinn", plural "fiskar"

5. hestur

   Horse

   Usage

   The small Icelandic horse is famous. A riding tour is "hestaferð". Do not feed horses without asking

   Grammar Note

   Masculine, definite "hesturinn", plural "hestar"

6. kýr

   Cow

   Usage

   Use it at a farm or dairy when pointing to a cow

   Grammar Note

   Feminine, definite "kýrin". The plural "kýr" is the same as the singular

7. svín

   Pig

   Usage

   Use it for the animal or when talking about pork

   Grammar Note

   Neuter, definite "svínið"

8. kind

   Sheep

   Usage

   Sheep graze freely in summer and may wander onto roads, so slow down when you see them

   Grammar Note

   Feminine, definite "kindin", plural "kindur". Related words are "sauðfé" (sheep) and "kindakjöt" (mutton)

9. hæna

   Hen

   Usage

   Use it at a farm when pointing to a hen

   Grammar Note

   Feminine, definite "hænan"

10. hreindýr

    Reindeer

    Usage

    Reindeer live wild in the eastern highlands of Iceland. Watch them from a distance

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "hreindýrið". A compound of "hrein" (from "hreinn", a reindeer bull) and "dýr" (animal)

11. refur

    Fox

    Usage

    The Arctic fox is the only native land mammal in Iceland. Another name for it is "melrakki"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "refurinn"

12. selur

    Seal

    Usage

    Use it on the coast or on a seal-watching tour

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "selurinn"

13. hvalur

    Whale

    Usage

    A highlight for many visitors. A whale-watching tour is "hvalaskoðun"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "hvalurinn", plural "hvalir"

14. mávur

    Gull

    Usage

    A common bird at harbours and on the coast. Watch your food

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "mávurinn"

15. álft

    Swan

    Usage

    A large white bird seen on lakes and wetlands

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "álftin". It names the whooper swan

16. önd

    Duck

    Usage

    Use it for ducks on ponds and lakes

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "öndin". The plural "endur" changes the vowel

17. hrafn

    Raven

    Usage

    A big black bird that appears in Norse myth

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "hrafninn"

18. ugla

    Owl

    Usage

    Use it for the nocturnal bird

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "uglan"

19. lundi

    Puffin

    Usage

    A popular seabird seen on coastal cliffs in summer, mainly from May to August

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "lundinn"

20. kría

    Arctic tern

    Usage

    It dive-bombs anyone who walks near its nest. Keep away from nesting areas in summer

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "krían"

21. rjúpa

    Ptarmigan

    Usage

    A mountain bird that turns white in winter. It is eaten at Christmas

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "rjúpan"

22. mús

    Mouse

    Usage

    Use it to report a mouse at a guesthouse or hut

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "músin", plural "mýs"

23. lax

    Salmon

    Usage

    Used on menus and in fishing. Iceland is known for salmon rivers

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "laxinn"

24. þorskur

    Cod

    Usage

    The classic Icelandic fish, found on many restaurant menus

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "þorskurinn"

25. höfrungur

    Dolphin

    Usage

    Use it for dolphins seen on a whale-watching tour

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "höfrungurinn"

26. mý

    Midge

    Usage

    Tiny insects that swarm around Lake Mývatn in summer. A head net helps against them

    Grammar Note

    Neuter and used as a collective, definite "mýið". The lake name "Mývatn" means "midge lake"

27. mítill

    Tick / Mite

    Usage

    Use it to show a doctor a tick on your skin. Ticks are uncommon in Iceland

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "mítillinn". It covers mites and ticks

28. geitungur

    Wasp

    Usage

    Use it for a sting or to mention a wasp allergy

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "geitungurinn"

29. býfluga

    Bee

    Usage

    Use it for a sting or to mention a bee allergy

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "býflugan". A compound of "bý" (bee) and "fluga" (fly)

30. maur

    Ant

    Usage

    Use it to report ants in food or in a room

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "maurinn"

31. könguló

    Spider

    Usage

    Use it when you find a spider in your room

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "köngulóin". The spelling "kónguló" also appears in dictionaries

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