Nature & Outdoors

1. Fjörðurinn er stórkostlegur!

   The fjord is fantastic!

   Usage

   An exclamation for when the scenery impresses you

   Grammar Note

   "Fjörður" is masculine, so the adjective is the masculine "stórkostlegur"; the article is the suffix "-inn". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

2. Mig langar að sjá norðurljósin

   I want to see the northern lights

   Usage

   States a wish to see the northern lights, also handy when looking for tours

   Grammar Note

   "Langa" takes an accusative subject ("Mig langar", never "Ég langar"). "Norðurljós" is a neuter plural noun. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

3. Getum við farið í fjallgöngu?

   Can we hike in the mountains?

   Usage

   Use it to ask a guide or host whether a mountain hike is possible

   Grammar Note

   "Í" with a destination takes the accusative (fjallganga becomes fjallgöngu); "fara í fjallgöngu" means to go on a mountain hike. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

4. Hvaða dýr lifa í skóginum?

   What animals live in the forest?

   Usage

   Use it to ask a guide which animals live in the forest; Iceland has few forests, so the question usually concerns plantations or small woods

   Grammar Note

   "Dýr" is a neuter noun with the same singular and plural form; it also means expensive. The plural subject takes "lifa". After the locative "í", the masculine "skógur" is dative with the article: "skóginum". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

5. Má synda í sjónum?

   Can one swim in the sea?

   Usage

   Use it to check whether swimming is allowed; Icelandic seas are cold and some beaches have strong currents, so follow local signs

   Grammar Note

   "Í" for a location takes the dative (sjór becomes sjónum). "Má synda?" without a subject is a general "is swimming allowed?". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

6. Er gönguleið hérna?

   Is there a nature trail here?

   Usage

   Use it to ask whether there is a walking route

   Grammar Note

   "Gönguleið" is a feminine compound built on "ganga" (walking). Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

7. Mig langar að tína ber

   I want to pick berries

   Usage

   Use it when you want to pick wild berries; check first whether the land is private

   Grammar Note

   "Tína ber" means to pick berries. "Ber" is a neuter noun with the same plural form. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

8. Er óhætt að drekka vatnið?

   Is it safe to drink the water?

   Usage

   Use it to ask locals whether water from a stream or spring is safe to drink

   Grammar Note

   "Óhætt" means safe or all right. "Vatn" is neuter, with the definite form "vatnið". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

9. Hvar er útsýnisstaðurinn?

   Where is the viewpoint?

   Usage

   Use it to find the nearest lookout point

   Grammar Note

   A masculine compound of "útsýni" (view) and "staður" (place); with the article it is "útsýnisstaðurinn". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

10. Hver er veðurspáin fyrir morgundaginn?

    What is the weather forecast for tomorrow?

    Usage

    Use it to ask about tomorrow's weather; conditions change fast in Iceland, so also check official forecasts before setting out

    Grammar Note

    "Veðurspá" is feminine, so the question word is "hver". "Fyrir" takes the accusative (morgundagur becomes morgundaginn). Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

Browse all TravelPhrases languages