Indulgences

1. bjór

   beer

   Usage

   Beer. Strong beer was banned in Iceland until 1989; it is served in bars and restaurants and bought at the liquor store Vínbúðin

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; the plural "bjórar" is used when talking about kinds of beer

2. brennivín

   brennivín (caraway-flavoured spirit)

   Usage

   The best-known Icelandic spirit, flavoured with caraway and drunk chilled from small glasses, often served with fermented shark

   Grammar Note

   A neuter compound: "brenni" (from brenna, to burn, distil) + "vín" (wine, alcohol)

3. Vínbúðin

   Vínbúðin (the state liquor store)

   Usage

   The state-run chain of liquor stores; stronger alcohol is bought here, apart from bars and restaurants. Opening hours vary by shop, so check beforehand

   Grammar Note

   The feminine noun "vínbúð" with the suffixed article, used as a name: "vín" (wine, alcohol) + "búð" (shop)

4. Hvar er næsta Vínbúð?

   Where is the nearest Vínbúð?

   Usage

   Asks where the nearest shop that sells alcohol is

   Grammar Note

   "Næsta" is the feminine nominative of "next/nearest"; "Vínbúð" is a feminine noun, used here without the article for the shop in general. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

5. Ég drekk ekki áfengi

   I do not drink alcohol

   Usage

   A polite way to decline when alcohol is offered

   Grammar Note

   The negation "ekki" comes after the verb; "áfengi" is a neuter noun meaning alcohol. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

6. Ég reyki ekki

   I do not smoke

   Usage

   Declines a cigarette or says that you do not smoke

   Grammar Note

   The present of "reykja" (to smoke) is "reyki"; "ekki" follows the verb

7. Má reykja hér?

   Is smoking allowed here?

   Usage

   Asks whether smoking is allowed; indoor public places are normally smoke-free

   Grammar Note

   A question starting with "mega" (may) followed by the infinitive "reykja". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

8. sígaretta

   cigarette

   Usage

   A cigarette; it harms health and there is an age limit for buying them

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun, a loanword in Icelandic spelling

9. rafsígaretta

   e-cigarette

   Usage

   An e-cigarette; check where it may be used, as with ordinary cigarettes

   Grammar Note

   A feminine compound: "raf" (electricity) + "sígaretta" (cigarette)

10. lakkrís

    liquorice

    Usage

    Liquorice, a favourite sweet in Iceland, found coated in chocolate or in salty versions

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun

11. Opal

    Opal (liquorice sweet)

    Usage

    The brand name of a well-known Icelandic liquorice-flavoured sweet

    Grammar Note

    A brand name, capitalised and not declined

12. nammi

    sweets

    Usage

    The everyday word for sweets and candy, understood by children and adults alike

    Grammar Note

    A neuter noun used often in everyday speech

13. nammibar

    nammibar (pick-and-mix sweets)

    Usage

    A self-service shelf where you fill a bag with the sweets you like and pay by weight, found in supermarkets and other shops

    Grammar Note

    A masculine compound: "nammi" (sweets) + "bar" (counter)

14. súkkulaði

    chocolate

    Usage

    Chocolate, in bars and also as chocolate-coated liquorice

    Grammar Note

    A neuter noun

15. sælgæti

    confectionery

    Usage

    The general word for sweets, including candy and chocolate

    Grammar Note

    A neuter noun

16. brjóstsykur

    hard candy

    Usage

    Hard candy that is sucked slowly

    Grammar Note

    A masculine compound: "brjóst" (chest) + "sykur" (sugar)

17. karamella

    caramel

    Usage

    A caramel sweet

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun

18. konfekt

    chocolates (confectionery)

    Usage

    Bite-sized chocolate sweets, often given as gifts

    Grammar Note

    A neuter noun

19. vaffla

    waffle

    Usage

    A waffle, often eaten with jam and whipped cream alongside coffee

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun

20. kleinuhringur

    doughnut

    Usage

    A ring-shaped fried pastry, sold in bakeries and cafés

    Grammar Note

    A masculine compound: "kleina" (fried pastry) + "hringur" (ring)

21. rjómaís

    ice cream

    Usage

    Ice cream made with milk and cream, eaten all year round in Iceland

    Grammar Note

    A masculine compound: "rjóma" (of cream) + "ís" (ice)

22. ísbúð

    ice cream shop

    Usage

    A shop that sells ice cream

    Grammar Note

    A feminine compound: "ís" (ice cream) + "búð" (shop)

23. bragðarefur

    bragðarefur (ice cream with sweets mixed in)

    Usage

    A popular order in ice cream shops, where sweets or fruit of your choice are mixed into the ice cream

    Grammar Note

    A masculine compound: "bragð" (taste, trick) + "refur" (fox); the word also means a cunning person

24. popp

    popcorn

    Usage

    Popcorn

    Grammar Note

    A neuter noun

25. snakk

    snacks (crisps)

    Usage

    Bagged snacks such as crisps

    Grammar Note

    A neuter noun

26. páskaegg

    páskaegg (Easter egg)

    Usage

    A large chocolate egg filled with sweets eaten at Easter, with a slip of paper inside bearing a proverb (málsháttur)

    Grammar Note

    A neuter compound: "páska" (of Easter) + "egg" (egg)

27. tyggjó

    chewing gum

    Usage

    Chewing gum

    Grammar Note

    A neuter noun

28. kex

    biscuits

    Usage

    The general word for biscuits and crackers

    Grammar Note

    A neuter noun used as a singular collective

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