Body Parts

1. höfuð

   Head

   Usage

   Show it at a clinic and point to your head. A headache is one compound word, "höfuðverkur"

   Grammar Note

   Neuter, definite "höfuðið". Pain is built as "body part + verkur"

2. hár

   Hair

   Usage

   Show it at a hairdresser or when something is stuck in your hair

   Grammar Note

   Neuter, definite "hárið". It is used as a collective for all the hair on the head

3. andlit

   Face

   Usage

   Use it for injuries, rashes or sunburn on the face

   Grammar Note

   Neuter, definite "andlitið"

4. auga

   Eye

   Usage

   Point to your eye to show pain or something stuck in it

   Grammar Note

   Neuter: "auga", definite "augað", plural "augu"

5. eyra

   Ear

   Usage

   Point to your ear to show earache or discharge

   Grammar Note

   Neuter, definite "eyrað", plural "eyru"

6. nef

   Nose

   Usage

   Point to your nose for a nosebleed or a blocked nose

   Grammar Note

   Neuter, definite "nefið"

7. munnur

   Mouth

   Usage

   Use it for mouth sores or pain inside the mouth

   Grammar Note

   Masculine, definite "munnurinn"

8. tönn

   Tooth

   Usage

   Show it at the dentist and point to the aching tooth. A dentist is "tannlæknir"

   Grammar Note

   Feminine, definite "tönnin". The plural is irregular: "tennur"

9. tunga

   Tongue

   Usage

   Use it for a sore or swollen tongue or a change in taste

   Grammar Note

   Feminine, definite "tungan". It also means "language", as in "íslensk tunga"

10. háls

    Neck / Throat

    Usage

    It covers both the neck and the throat. A sore throat is "hálsbólga"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "hálsinn". One word covers both neck and throat

11. hnakki

    Nape / Back of the neck

    Usage

    Use it for pain or a bite on the back of the neck

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "hnakkinn"

12. öxl

    Shoulder

    Usage

    Point to your shoulder to show stiffness or an injury

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "öxlin". The plural "axlir" changes the vowel

13. handleggur

    Arm

    Usage

    Use it for a broken arm, pain, or where an injection should go

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "handleggurinn". It is built from "hand" and "leggur"

14. olnbogi

    Elbow

    Usage

    Use it for elbow pain or a bruise

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "olnboginn"

15. hönd

    Hand

    Usage

    Use it for a hand injury or numbness in the hand

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "höndin". The plural "hendur" changes the vowel

16. fingur

    Finger

    Usage

    Use it for a cut or a sprained finger

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "fingurinn". The plural is also "fingur"

17. nögl

    Nail

    Usage

    Use it for a damaged or ingrown nail

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "nöglin". The plural "neglur" changes the vowel

18. brjóstkassi

    Chest

    Usage

    Use it for chest pain or tight breathing. In an emergency call 112

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "brjóstkassinn". A compound of "brjóst" and "kassi"

19. kviður

    Belly / Abdomen

    Usage

    Use it for pain or bloating in the belly area. The stomach organ is "magi"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "kviðurinn"

20. magi

    Stomach

    Usage

    Use it for stomach pain or indigestion. A stomach ache is "magaverkur"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "maginn". The belly area as a whole is "kviður"

21. bak

    Back

    Usage

    Point to your back to show pain or a bruise

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "bakið". Back pain is "bakverkur"

22. mjóbak

    Lower back

    Usage

    Point to your lower back for lumbago or a pulled back

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "mjóbakið". A compound of "mjór" (narrow) and "bak"

23. fótleggur

    Leg

    Usage

    Use it for a broken leg, pain or swelling. The foot is "fótur"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "fótleggurinn". A compound of "fótur" (foot) and "leggur"

24. bein

    Bone

    Usage

    Show it when you suspect a fracture and point to the sore spot

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "beinið". A fracture is "beinbrot"

25. hné

    Knee

    Usage

    Use it for knee pain or a scrape

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "hnéð". The plural is also "hné"

26. fótur

    Foot

    Usage

    Use it for foot pain, blisters or a sprain

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "fóturinn". The plural "fætur" changes the vowel. The whole leg is "fótleggur"

27. ökkli

    Ankle

    Usage

    Use it for a sprained or swollen ankle

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "ökklinn"

28. húð

    Skin

    Usage

    Use it to show a rash, irritation or sunburn to a doctor or pharmacist

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "húðin"

29. blóð

    Blood

    Usage

    Used for bleeding, blood tests and blood type

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "blóðið"

30. hjarta

    Heart

    Usage

    Use it to mention a heart condition or palpitations

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "hjartað". The plural is "hjörtu"

31. lunga

    Lung

    Usage

    Use it to mention asthma or a lung condition

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "lungað". The plural is "lungu"

32. þarmar

    Intestines / Bowel

    Usage

    Use it to mention bowel trouble or past surgery

    Grammar Note

    Normally used as a masculine plural, definite "þarmarnir". The singular is "þarmur"

33. lifur

    Liver

    Usage

    Use it to mention a liver condition

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "lifrin"

34. nýra

    Kidney

    Usage

    Use it to mention a kidney condition or kidney stones

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "nýrað". The plural is "nýru"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages