Basic Nouns

1. vatn

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water; tap water is drunk as it is

   Grammar Note

   Neuter, definite "vatnið". The word also means "lake" in compounds such as "stöðuvatn"

2. matur

   Food

   Usage

   Covers food in general

   Grammar Note

   Masculine, definite "maturinn". "Takk fyrir matinn" is how you thank your host after a meal

3. peningar

   Money

   Usage

   Used when talking about paying or exchanging

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun used in the plural only; definite "peningarnir". The currency is the króna (plural "krónur")

4. salerni

   Toilet

   Usage

   Signs often say "Snyrting" instead

   Grammar Note

   Neuter, definite "salernið". "Klósett" is also common in everyday speech

5. lyf

   Medicine

   Usage

   Use it at a pharmacy or clinic

   Grammar Note

   Neuter; the plural is also "lyf". Definite "lyfið"

6. farangur

   Luggage

   Usage

   Used at the airport and at hotels

   Grammar Note

   Masculine, normally without a plural. Definite "farangurinn"

7. lykill

   Key

   Usage

   Used for hotel or car keys

   Grammar Note

   Masculine, plural "lyklar", definite "lykillinn"

8. miði

   Ticket

   Usage

   Used to buy entry or travel tickets

   Grammar Note

   Masculine, plural "miðar", definite "miðinn". It can also mean a slip of paper

9. vegabréf

   Passport

   Usage

   Shown at immigration and check-in

   Grammar Note

   Neuter, definite "vegabréfið"; the plural has the same form

10. sími

    Phone

    Usage

    Refers to a phone, mobile or fixed

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "síminn". A smartphone is a "snjallsími"

11. hleðslutæki

    Charger

    Usage

    Use it to ask for or buy a charger

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "hleðslutækið". Built from "hlaða" (to charge)

12. sjúkrahús

    Hospital

    Usage

    Names the hospital in case of illness or injury

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "sjúkrahúsið". "Spítali" is also common. In an emergency call 112

13. lögregla

    Police

    Usage

    Used for crime or emergencies; the emergency number is 112

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "lögreglan". A single officer is a "lögreglumaður"

14. verslun

    Shop

    Usage

    The standard word for a shop

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "verslunin". "Búð" is also common in speech

15. herbergi

    Room

    Usage

    Used for hotel rooms and similar

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "herbergið"; the plural has the same form

16. vegur

    Road

    Usage

    Refers to a road or route, common when driving

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, plural "vegir", definite "vegurinn". A street is a "gata"

17. fjölskylda

    Family

    Usage

    Used to talk about your family

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "fjölskyldan"

18. nafn

    Name

    Usage

    Used when giving a name or a booking

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "nafnið", plural "nöfn"

19. höfuð

    Head

    Usage

    Used to describe a headache or injury

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "höfuðið". A headache is a "höfuðverkur"

20. auga

    Eye

    Usage

    Used to describe eye problems

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "augað", plural "augu"

21. tönn

    Tooth

    Usage

    Used to describe tooth pain

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "tönnin", plural "tennur". Toothache is "tannpína"

22. háls

    Throat

    Usage

    Used for a sore throat; the word also means "neck"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "hálsinn". A sore throat is "hálsbólga"

23. magi

    Stomach / belly

    Usage

    Used to describe stomach trouble

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "maginn". A stomach ache is "magaverkur"

24. bak

    Back

    Usage

    Used to describe back pain

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "bakið". Back pain is "bakverkur"

25. mjóbak

    Lower back

    Usage

    Used to describe lower-back pain

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "mjóbakið". A compound of "mjór" (narrow) and "bak" (back)

26. fótur

    Foot

    Usage

    Used for foot injuries; the word also covers the leg

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "fóturinn", plural "fætur"

27. hönd

    Hand

    Usage

    Used for hand pain or injury

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "höndin", plural "hendur"

28. brjóst

    Chest

    Usage

    Used to describe chest pain

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "brjóstið". Chest pain is "brjóstverkur"

29. hótel

    Hotel

    Usage

    Names your lodging

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "hótelið"; the plural has the same form

30. flugvöllur

    Airport

    Usage

    Names an airport; the main international one is Keflavík

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "flugvöllurinn", plural "flugvellir"

31. stoppistöð

    Bus stop

    Usage

    The place where you wait for a bus

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "stoppistöðin". "Biðstöð" is another word for the same thing

32. sendiráð

    Embassy

    Usage

    Where you go if you lose a passport

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "sendiráðið"

33. hraðbanki

    ATM / cash machine

    Usage

    Where you withdraw cash; cards are widely accepted so it is used less

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "hraðbankinn". A compound of "hraður" (fast) and "banki" (bank)

34. þvottahús

    Laundrette

    Usage

    Used to look for a place to wash clothes; may also mean a laundry room

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, definite "þvottahúsið". A compound of "þvottur" (washing) and "hús" (house)

35. slökkvibíll

    Fire engine

    Usage

    Used in a fire; the emergency number is 112

    Grammar Note

    Masculine, definite "slökkvibíllinn". A compound of "slökkva" (to extinguish) and "bíll" (car)

36. ræðismannsskrifstofa

    Consulate

    Usage

    Where you go for paperwork abroad

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, definite "ræðismannsskrifstofan"

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