Greetings

1. Halló

   Hello

   Usage

   A standard greeting for any time of day; also how people answer the phone

   Grammar Note

   An interjection that does not inflect. The more casual greeting is "Hæ". Icelanders address everyone with "þú", so there is no formal/informal pair to choose between

2. Hæ

   Hi

   Usage

   A casual greeting for friends and people your age; also used when parting

   Grammar Note

   An interjection that does not inflect. With strangers or in more formal settings "Halló" or "Góðan daginn" is the safer choice

3. Góðan daginn

   Good morning / Good day

   Usage

   Used from morning through the daytime; in the evening switch to "Gott kvöld"

   Grammar Note

   "Góðan" is the masculine accusative of "góður" (good) and "daginn" the accusative of "dagur" (day) with the suffixed article; the accusative comes from an understood "I wish you ..."

4. Gott kvöld

   Good evening

   Usage

   Said when meeting someone in the evening

   Grammar Note

   "Gott" is the neuter form of "góður", agreeing with the neuter noun "kvöld" (evening). For saying goodnight when parting use "Góða nótt"

5. Takk fyrir

   Thank you

   Usage

   Said when you receive something or someone is kind; a little warmer than a bare "Takk"

   Grammar Note

   "Takk" is an interjection and "fyrir" a preposition ("for"); it can be followed by "matinn" (the meal) or "komuna" (coming)

6. Takk kærlega

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Use it to add warmth when someone has gone out of their way for you

   Grammar Note

   "Kærlega" is an adverb meaning "warmly, heartily" and is placed after "Takk" to strengthen it

7. Fyrirgefðu

   Sorry / Excuse me

   Usage

   Works as an apology and as a light "excuse me" when you bump into someone or need attention

   Grammar Note

   The imperative of "fyrirgefa" (to forgive) with the clitic "þú", for one person; to several people say "Fyrirgefið"

8. Hvernig hefurðu það?

   How are you?

   Usage

   The standard way to ask how someone is, fine with friends and strangers alike

   Grammar Note

   "Hefurðu" is the contraction of "hefur þú" (2nd person singular of "hafa"), built on the idiom "hafa það gott" (to be doing well). To several people say "Hvernig hafið þið það?"

9. Ég hef það gott, takk

   I'm fine, thank you

   Usage

   A reply to "Hvernig hefurðu það?"

   Grammar Note

   "Hafa það gott" is a fixed expression meaning "to be doing well", with "gott" in the neuter. "Ég hef það fínt" ("I'm doing great") is a common alternative

10. Bless

    Goodbye / Bye

    Usage

    A goodbye that works with friends and shop staff alike

    Grammar Note

    An interjection that does not inflect. Often doubled as "Bless bless". A slightly more formal farewell is "Vertu sæll" (to a man) or "Vertu sæl" (to a woman)

11. Velkomin

    Welcome

    Usage

    Said when welcoming guests; this form addresses a woman or a group

    Grammar Note

    "Velkominn" changes with the person addressed: "Velkominn" to one man, "Velkomin" to one woman or to a group, "Velkomið" for a neuter noun

12. Talarðu ensku?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Useful before launching into English; most Icelanders speak it well

    Grammar Note

    Yes/no questions start with the verb. "Talarðu" contracts "talar þú"; "enska" is a feminine noun and is accusative here as the object: "ensku"

13. Gaman að kynnast þér

    Nice to meet you

    Usage

    Said to someone you are meeting for the first time, often while shaking hands

    Grammar Note

    "Gaman að ..." means "it is nice to ...". "Kynnast" takes the dative, so "you" becomes "þér". This sentence is composed from verified parts and should be checked by a native speaker

14. Hvar er salernið?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    For asking in shops and cafes; signs usually say "Snyrting" or "Salerni"

    Grammar Note

    "Salerni" is a neuter noun and takes the suffixed article: "salernið". "Hvar" means "where (at)" and is different from "hvert" (where to)

15. Ég tala ekki íslensku

    I don't speak Icelandic

    Usage

    Say it when someone addresses you in Icelandic, then follow with "Talarðu ensku?"

    Grammar Note

    "Ekki" follows the conjugated verb. The language name is the feminine noun "íslenska" in the accusative: "íslensku"

16. Ég kem aftur

    I'll come back

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or a place you liked

    Grammar Note

    The present tense carries the future meaning. "Aftur" means "again, back", and "koma aftur" is "to come back"

17. Ég skemmti mér mjög vel

    I had a really good time

    Usage

    Said after a meal or an event to say you enjoyed it

    Grammar Note

    "Skemmta sér" is the reflexive "to enjoy oneself". "Skemmti" is the same form in the present and past of the 1st person singular, so the phrase can describe an event that is over. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

18. Sjáumst!

    See you!

    Usage

    A casual way of saying goodbye to people you will see again

    Grammar Note

    The reciprocal form of "sjá" (to see) in the first person plural, meaning "let us see each other". "Sjáumst aftur" means "see you again"

19. Góða nótt

    Good night

    Usage

    Said at bedtime or when parting late at night

    Grammar Note

    "Góða" is "góður" in the feminine accusative to agree with "nótt" (night). Unlike "Gott kvöld" it is used when parting, not when meeting

20. Ég er að fara

    I'm heading off

    Usage

    Said as you head out or get up to leave

    Grammar Note

    "Vera að + infinitive" expresses an action in progress or about to happen. "Að fara" is "to go, to leave"

21. Ég er kominn heim

    I'm home

    Usage

    Said on coming back home or to your lodgings

    Grammar Note

    A man says "kominn", a woman says "komin" ("Ég er komin heim"). "Heim" is the adverb for movement towards home

22. Ég þarf því miður að fara núna

    I'm afraid I have to go now

    Usage

    A polite way to end a conversation or leave an event

    Grammar Note

    "Þurfa að + infinitive" means "to have to". "Því miður" is the fixed phrase for "unfortunately"

23. Ekkert að þakka

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply to being thanked

    Grammar Note

    "Ekkert" means "nothing" and "að þakka" "to thank for", so the phrase is "nothing to thank". After a meal the reply "Verði þér að góðu" is also used

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