Basic Words

1. Já

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

   Grammar Note

   "Já" means yes and "Nei" means no. Adding "takk" ("Já, takk") sounds polite when accepting an offer

2. Nei

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

   Grammar Note

   To decline an offer, "Nei, takk" ("No, thank you") sounds softer than a bare "Nei"

3. Gjörðu svo vel

   Please go ahead / Here you are

   Usage

   Said when handing something over or inviting someone to go ahead; it is not the word for "please" in an order or request

   Grammar Note

   Icelandic has no short "please" for requests: add "takk" at the end or use "Gætirðu ...?" ("Could you ...?"). "Gjörðu svo vel" is "please, go ahead / here you are"; to several people say "Gjörið svo vel". "Gjörðu" is the imperative with the clitic "þú". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

4. Takk

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions. Added to the end of a request it also means "please"

   Grammar Note

   At the end of a request it works like "please", e.g. "Einn bjór, takk". For more warmth say "Takk fyrir" or "Takk kærlega"

5. Afsakið

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Use it to get a stranger's attention or to pass someone

   Grammar Note

   A polite form that works for one or several people and sounds a little more formal than "Fyrirgefðu"

6. Fyrirgefðu

   Sorry

   Usage

   Used to apologize; also works as a light "excuse me"

   Grammar Note

   The imperative of "fyrirgefa" (to forgive) with the clitic "þú", for one person; to several people say "Fyrirgefið". "Því miður" ("unfortunately") is used when declining

7. Það er í lagi

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Use it to answer an apology or to politely turn down help

   Grammar Note

   Literally "it is in order". "Allt í lagi" ("everything is fine") is a common variant

8. Ég skil ekki

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it when you cannot follow what is being said

   Grammar Note

   "Ekki" (not) follows the conjugated verb. Follow it with "Talaðu hægar" to ask for slower speech. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

9. Ég skil

   I understand

   Usage

   Reply with it when an explanation has made sense

   Grammar Note

   The subject "ég" is kept before the verb. There is no polite/casual split; the same form is used with everyone

10. Ég er búinn

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Use it when you have finished a meal or a task

    Grammar Note

    A man says "búinn", a woman says "búin" ("Ég er búin")

11. Bíddu aðeins, takk

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it to ask someone to wait a little

    Grammar Note

    "Bíddu" is the imperative of "bíða" (to wait) with the clitic "þú"; to several people say "Bíðið aðeins". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

12. Augnablik

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A short way to ask for a moment

    Grammar Note

    Literally a "blink of an eye"; "Eitt augnablik" ("one moment") is also common. Neuter noun

13. Einn fullorðinn, takk

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Use it at a pool or museum counter to say how many tickets you need

    Grammar Note

    "Einn" is the masculine form of "one", used here for a person. "Fullorðinn" means "adult"; a child is "barn". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

14. Ég er ekki með pöntun

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it at a hotel or restaurant when you have no booking

    Grammar Note

    "Vera með" means "to have". "Pöntun" is a feminine noun (reservation, order) and "ekki" follows the verb. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

15. Ég er með pöntun

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival at a hotel or restaurant

    Grammar Note

    Follow with your name. "Pöntun" is a feminine noun (reservation, order). Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

16. Hjálpaðu mér!

    Please help me

    Usage

    Use it to ask for help. In an emergency call 112

    Grammar Note

    "Hjálpa" takes the dative, hence "mér". To several people say "Hjálpið mér". The imperative with clitic "þú" ends in "-ðu"

17. Einu sinni enn, takk

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Use it to ask someone to repeat what they said

    Grammar Note

    "Einu sinni" is "once" (dative) and "enn" means "again/still". The single word "Aftur" ("again") also works. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

18. Talaðu hægar, takk

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    Ask someone to slow down

    Grammar Note

    "Hægar" is the comparative of "hægt" (slowly). To several people say "Talið hægar". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

19. Ég tala smá íslensku

    I speak a little Icelandic

    Usage

    Tell people how much Icelandic you speak. Language names are written in lower case

    Grammar Note

    "Tala" takes the accusative, so "íslenska" becomes "íslensku". Other languages: "ensku" (English), "þýsku" (German). Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

20. Talarðu ensku?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Ask whether someone speaks English; most Icelanders do

    Grammar Note

    "Talarðu" is "talar þú" contracted. Icelandic uses "þú" with everyone, so there is no polite form. Yes/no questions start with the verb

21. þetta

    This one

    Usage

    Use it while pointing at something close by

    Grammar Note

    A neuter demonstrative that works for any object regardless of gender. "Það" ("it/that") is also used

22. þetta þarna

    That one

    Usage

    Use it while pointing at something further away

    Grammar Note

    "Þarna" is an adverb meaning "over there"

23. hér

    Here

    Usage

    Points to where you are now

    Grammar Note

    An adverb of place that does not inflect. "Hingað" means "to here"

24. þar

    There

    Usage

    Points to a place a bit away

    Grammar Note

    An adverb of place. "Þangað" means "to there" (motion)

25. þarna

    Over there

    Usage

    Points to somewhere you can see in the distance; use with pointing

    Grammar Note

    An adverb of place that does not inflect

26. ég

    I / me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself; written in lower case even in the middle of a sentence

    Grammar Note

    First person singular, nominative. The accusative is "mig" and the dative "mér". Subject pronouns are normally not dropped

27. þú

    You

    Usage

    Refers to the person you are talking to, whatever their age or rank

    Grammar Note

    Icelandic has no polite second person: "þú" is used with everyone, plural "þið". The accusative is "þig" and the dative "þér"

28. saman

    Together

    Usage

    Use it for doing something together or paying together

    Grammar Note

    An adverb that does not inflect, e.g. "Við förum saman" ("We go together")

29. strax

    Right now / immediately

    Usage

    Use it when you need something done at once

    Grammar Note

    An adverb that does not inflect, e.g. "Ég kem strax" ("I am coming right away")

30. ein manneskja

    One person

    Usage

    Use it to give the number of people for a table or entry

    Grammar Note

    "Manneskja" is feminine ("person"), so the numeral is the feminine "ein". The plural is "manneskjur"

31. tvær manneskjur

    Two people

    Usage

    Use it to give the number of people for a table or entry

    Grammar Note

    "Manneskja" is feminine, so "two" takes the feminine "tvær" (masculine "tveir", neuter "tvö")

32. þrjár manneskjur

    Three people

    Usage

    Use it to give the number of people for a table or entry

    Grammar Note

    "Manneskja" is feminine, so "three" takes the feminine "þrjár" (masculine "þrír", neuter "þrjú")

Browse all TravelPhrases languages