Má ég æfa með ykkur sem gestur í dag?
Can I train with you as a guest today?
Usage
Asking to join a session as a guest at a gym or dojo
Grammar Note
"Æfa" means "to train". "Með" takes the dative, hence "ykkur" (dative of "þið"). In "sem gestur" the noun stays nominative, like the subject. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Má ég horfa á æfingu fyrst?
Could I watch a training session first?
Usage
Asking to watch before committing
Grammar Note
"Horfa á" takes the accusative, hence "æfingu" (accusative of the feminine noun "æfing"). "Fyrst" means "first". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Má ég fá hanska og legghlífar að láni?
Can I borrow gloves and shin guards?
Usage
Asking to borrow equipment you do not own
Grammar Note
"Fá að láni" means "to borrow". "Hanska" and "legghlífar" are the accusative plurals of "hanski" and "legghlíf". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Ég er algjör byrjandi og hef aldrei æft bardagaíþrótt.
I am a complete beginner and have never trained a combat sport before.
Usage
Telling the coach you are new to combat sports
Grammar Note
"Hef æft" is the present perfect ("hafa" plus the supine). "Aldrei" means "never" and follows the finite verb. "Bardagaíþrótt" is a feminine noun (combat sport) in the accusative. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Getum við tekið því rólega?
Can we take it easy?
Usage
Asking your partner or coach to go gently
Grammar Note
"Taka því rólega" is a set phrase meaning "take it easy"; "því" is the dative pronoun and part of the fixed expression. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Ég er meiddur í hnénu, svo ég sleppi spörkunum.
My knee is injured, so I will skip the kicks.
Usage
Saying you will leave out some moves because of an injury
Grammar Note
"Meiddur" is the masculine form; a woman says "meidd". "Sleppa" (skip) takes the dative, hence "spörkunum" (dative plural of "spark" with article). Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Hvað kostar stakur tími og hver eru félagsgjöldin?
What does a single session cost, and what are the membership dues?
Usage
Comparing pay-per-session prices with membership fees
Grammar Note
"Stakur tími" is "a single session". "Félagsgjöldin" is the neuter plural "félagsgjöld" with the article, so the verb is the plural "eru". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Eruð þið með æfingahóp bara fyrir konur?
Do you have a training group just for women?
Usage
Looking for a women-only class
Grammar Note
"Vera með" means "to have". "Æfingahóp" is the accusative of the masculine noun "æfingahópur". "Fyrir konur" is "for women" (accusative plural). Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Hvar finn ég æfingatímana?
Where do I find the training times?
Usage
Looking for the schedule of sessions
Grammar Note
"Finna" takes the accusative, and "æfingatímana" is the accusative plural of "æfingatímar" with the article. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Geturðu sýnt mér tæknina einu sinni enn, hægt?
Can you show me the technique once more, slowly?
Usage
Asking a coach to repeat a technique slowly
Grammar Note
"Sýna" takes a dative recipient and an accusative object: "mér" and "tæknina" (accusative of "tækni" with article). "Einu sinni enn" means "once more". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Eruð þið með búningsklefa og sturtur?
Do you have changing rooms and showers?
Usage
Checking facilities for after training
Grammar Note
"Búningsklefa" is the accusative of the masculine noun "búningsklefi", and "sturtur" is the accusative plural of the feminine noun "sturta". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Hvar get ég horft á bardaga eða keppni?
Where can I watch a bout or a competition?
Usage
Asking where to see a fight or tournament
Grammar Note
"Horfa á" takes the accusative: "bardaga" is the accusative of the masculine noun "bardagi", and "keppni" is a feminine noun with the same accusative form. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Þarf ég að vera í félaginu til að æfa hér?
Do I have to be a member of the club to train here?
Usage
Checking whether membership is required
Grammar Note
"Þurfa að" means "to have to". "Í félaginu" is the dative of "félag" with the article, meaning "in the club (as a member)". "Til að" plus an infinitive means "in order to". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Hafðu hendurnar uppi og horfðu í augun á honum!
Keep your hands up, look him in the eyes!
Usage
A coach's instruction during training, to one person (singular imperative)
Grammar Note
"Hafðu" and "horfðu" are singular imperatives. "Hafa hendurnar uppi" means "keep your hands up". "Á honum" is the masculine dative pronoun, for a male opponent. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Sparkaðu fast, ekki halda aftur af þér!
Kick hard, do not hold back!
Usage
A coach urging full power in kicks
Grammar Note
"Sparkaðu" is the singular imperative of "sparka". "Halda aftur af sér" means "to hold oneself back", and the reflexive becomes "þér" in the imperative. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Fimm mínútna hlé, fáðu þér vatn!
Five-minute break, drink water!
Usage
A coach calling a short break
Grammar Note
"Fimm mínútna" is the genitive plural of "mínúta", qualifying "hlé" (break). "Fáðu þér" is the imperative "get yourself", and "vatn" is the accusative. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
Þetta er nóg í dag. Vel gert!
That is enough for today. Good work!
Usage
What a coach says at the end of training
Grammar Note
"Nóg" means "enough". "Vel gert!" is a set phrase for "well done"; "gert" is the past participle of "gera". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker
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
- Markets & Souvenirs
- 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
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences