Hvað kostar þetta?
How much does this cost?
Usage
Ask a stallholder when an item has no price tag
Grammar Note
"Kosta" means "to cost" and "þetta" is the neuter "this", used while pointing. The answer will be in "krónur" (plural of the króna, the Icelandic currency)
Er hægt að prútta?
Is it possible to haggle?
Usage
Check before haggling at a flea market; shops normally have fixed prices
Grammar Note
"Er hægt að ...?" is the standard way to ask "is it possible to ...?". Prices in Icelandic shops are normally fixed, so haggling is for places like flea markets. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Ég býð fimm þúsund krónur.
I'll offer five thousand krónur.
Usage
Name your price during a negotiation
Grammar Note
"Bjóða" means "to offer". Numbers from five up do not change for gender. "Króna" is feminine, with the plural "krónur". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Get ég fengið afslátt?
Can I get a discount?
Usage
Ask for a reduction when buying several items or at a flea market
Grammar Note
"Afsláttur" is masculine, with the accusative "afslátt". "Get ég fengið ...?" is the standard "can I have ...?". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Er þetta handunnið?
Is this handmade?
Usage
Check whether a craft or knitted item is handmade
Grammar Note
"Handunninn" means "made by hand". It takes the neuter form "handunnið" to agree with "þetta". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Úr hverju er þetta gert?
What is this made of?
Usage
Ask about the material of wool goods or souvenirs
Grammar Note
"Úr" takes the dative, so the question word is the dative "hverju". "Gert" is the past participle of "gera" (to make), forming the passive. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Getið þið pakkað þessu inn sem gjöf?
Can you wrap this as a gift?
Usage
Ask for a purchase to be wrapped as a present
Grammar Note
"Pakka inn" takes the dative, hence "þessu". "Sem gjöf" means "as a gift". "Gjöf" is feminine. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Hvar er flóamarkaður?
Where is the flea market?
Usage
Ask where to find a flea market for second-hand goods
Grammar Note
"Flóamarkaður" is a masculine compound of "flóa" (of fleas) and "markaður" (market). Replace it with the name of a particular market if you know it. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Get ég fengið kvittun?
May I have a receipt?
Usage
Ask for a receipt after paying
Grammar Note
"Kvittun" is feminine, with the same accusative form. "Get ég fengið ...?" asks "can I have ...?"
Hvenær er opið á markaðnum?
When is the market open?
Usage
Ask about a market's days and opening hours
Grammar Note
"Opið" is the neuter of "opinn" and means "open for business". "Á" takes the dative for location, and the dative of "markaður" with the article is "markaðnum". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Ég er bara að skoða, takk.
I'm just looking, thank you.
Usage
Use it to politely decline help from a seller
Grammar Note
"Ég er að ..." expresses an ongoing action, here with "skoða" (to look at). The "takk" here means "thank you". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Takið þið við kortum?
Do you accept cards?
Usage
Ask at a small stall whether you can pay by card
Grammar Note
"Taka við" means "to accept" and takes the dative. "Kort" is neuter, with the dative plural "kortum". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Ég er að kaupa þetta sem minjagrip handa vini.
I'm buying this as a souvenir for a friend.
Usage
Tell the seller you are buying a souvenir for someone
Grammar Note
"Minjagripur" is masculine, with the accusative "minjagrip". "Handa" takes the dative, so "vinur" (friend) becomes "vini". For a female friend use "vinkonu". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Er hægt að senda þetta til útlanda?
Can this be sent abroad?
Usage
Ask whether bulky or fragile purchases can be shipped abroad
Grammar Note
"Útlönd" is a plural-only neuter noun meaning "abroad". "Til" takes the genitive, giving "útlanda". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Hvað mælið þið með?
What do you recommend?
Usage
Ask a seller for the best item or the house favourite
Grammar Note
"Mæla með" means "to recommend", and "með" stays at the end of the question. "Þið" is the plural "you", natural when addressing a shop or several staff. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Er hægt að semja um verðið?
Is the price negotiable?
Usage
Politely check whether the price is fixed
Grammar Note
"Semja um" means "to negotiate about", and "um" takes the accusative. "Verð" is neuter, and with the article it is "verðið". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Eigið þið þetta í annarri stærð?
Do you have this in a different size?
Usage
Ask for another size of clothes or shoes
Grammar Note
"Stærð" is feminine, with the same dative form. The adjective takes the feminine dative "annarri". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Þetta er of dýrt.
This is too expensive.
Usage
Use it to decline or open a negotiation when a price is too high
Grammar Note
"Dýr" means "expensive" (and "animal"); "dyr" without the accent is a different word, "doorway". It takes the neuter "dýrt" to agree with "þetta". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
ávextir
Fruit
Usage
Use it to find the fruit stall
Grammar Note
Plural of the masculine noun "ávöxtur"; the singular is "ávöxtur"
ostur
Cheese
Usage
Use it to ask for cheese at a market stall
Grammar Note
Masculine noun; with the article it is "osturinn"
jógúrt
Yoghurt
Usage
Use it to ask for yoghurt at a market stall
Grammar Note
An Icelandicised loanword that does not change its form
hvítlaukur
Garlic
Usage
Use it to ask for garlic at a market stall
Grammar Note
Masculine noun. A compound of "hvít" (white) and "laukur" (onion)
laukur
Onion
Usage
Use it to ask for onions at a market stall
Grammar Note
Masculine noun; with the article it is "laukurinn"
chili
Chilli
Usage
Use it when looking for hot peppers
Grammar Note
A loanword and neuter noun. "Belgpipar" and "sílípipar" are alternative words
kóríander
Coriander
Usage
Use it when looking for herbs
Grammar Note
Gender varies: dictionaries list it as neuter or masculine. The form stays the same
engifer
Ginger
Usage
Use it when looking for spices or roots
Grammar Note
Neuter noun that does not change its form
More Icelandic phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences