Photography

10 phrases · Icelandic with romanization, English and audio

  1. Má ég taka mynd hér?

    May I take a photo here?

    Usage

    Ask permission before photographing in a church, exhibit or of people

    Grammar Note

    "Má ég" means "may I". "Taka mynd" means "to take a picture"; "mynd" is a feminine accusative. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  2. Geturðu tekið mynd af mér?

    Could you take a photo of me?

    Usage

    Ask a passer-by to take your photo at a sight

    Grammar Note

    "Geturðu" is the contracted "getur þú". "Tekið" is the supine of "taka". "Af" takes the dative, and the dative of "ég" is "mér". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  3. Það er bannað að taka myndir hér

    No photography here

    Usage

    How staff typically say that photography is not allowed

    Grammar Note

    "Bannað" is the neuter participle of "banna" (to forbid); "það er bannað að ..." means "it is forbidden to ...". "Myndir" is the accusative plural of the feminine "mynd". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  4. Hvar eru bestu staðirnir til að taka myndir?

    Where are the best photo spots?

    Usage

    Ask locals or the tourist office for the best places to take photos

    Grammar Note

    The superlative of "góður" is "bestur"; the masculine plural is "bestu", and "staður" (place) in the plural with the article is "staðirnir". "Til að + infinitive" means "for doing ...". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  5. Tökum mynd saman

    Let's take a photo together

    Usage

    Invite someone to pose for a photo together

    Grammar Note

    "Tökum" is the first person plural imperative of "taka", "let's take". "Saman" means "together". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  6. Má ég nota flass?

    Can I use flash?

    Usage

    Check whether flash is permitted in museums or galleries

    Grammar Note

    "Nota" means "to use" and takes the accusative. "Flass" is a neuter noun (flash) with the same accusative form. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  7. Má ég sjá myndina?

    Can I see the photo?

    Usage

    Use to check a photo someone just took for you

    Grammar Note

    "Mynd" is a feminine noun; as the object of "sjá" it is accusative with the article: "myndina". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  8. Rafhlaðan í myndavélinni er búin

    My camera battery is dead

    Usage

    Say this when your camera has run out of charge

    Grammar Note

    "Rafhlaða" (battery) and "myndavél" (camera) are both feminine. After "í" comes the dative with the article, "myndavélinni". "Búinn" means "finished/used up"; the feminine is "búin". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  9. Ég þarf minniskort

    I need a memory card

    Usage

    Tell a shop assistant you need a memory card

    Grammar Note

    "Þurfa" takes the accusative. "Minniskort" is a compound of "minnis" (genitive of "minni", memory) and "kort" (card), a neuter noun with the same accusative form. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  10. Geturðu sent mér myndina?

    Can you send me the photo?

    Usage

    Ask someone to send you a photo they took

    Grammar Note

    "Geturðu" is the contracted "getur þú". "Senda" takes a dative person and an accusative thing: "mér" and "myndina". "Sent" is the supine. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

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