Shopping

11 phrases · Icelandic with romanization, English and audio

  1. Hvað kostar þetta?

    How much does this cost?

    Usage

    Ask while pointing when an item has no price tag

    Grammar Note

    "Kosta" means "to cost" and "þetta" is "this", used while pointing. The answer will be in "krónur" (krónas)

  2. Má ég máta þetta?

    Can I try this on?

    Usage

    Ask the shop assistant before trying on clothes or shoes

    Grammar Note

    "Máta" means to try on or fit. "Má ég ..." asks permission. "Þetta" has the same form in the accusative

  3. Eigið þið þetta í annarri stærð?

    Do you have this in another size?

    Usage

    Ask the staff when the size does not fit

    Grammar Note

    "Eiga" (to have) is the usual verb for asking about stock. "Stærð" is feminine and after "í" it is dative: "annarri stærð". "Þið" addresses the staff as a group

  4. Ég tek þetta

    I'll take this

    Usage

    Tell the assistant you have decided to buy it

    Grammar Note

    "Taka" means "to take" and is what you say when you decide to buy. "Þetta" is the object, no article or number needed

  5. Get ég borgað með korti?

    Can I pay by card?

    Usage

    Check before paying that a card is accepted

    Grammar Note

    "Get ég borgað" asks whether I can pay, with "borgað" the supine of "borga". "Með" + dative means "with, by", and the dative of "kort" is "korti". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  6. Er þetta á útsölu?

    Is this on sale?

    Usage

    Check whether an item is discounted; a tag saying "útsala" means a sale

    Grammar Note

    "Útsala" is a feminine noun (sale). "Á" + dative marks the state, so it appears as "útsölu". The related "tilboð" (special offer) also works

  7. Má ég fá kvittun?

    Can I have a receipt?

    Usage

    Ask for a receipt for returns or expenses

    Grammar Note

    "Kvittun" is a feminine noun; as the object of "fá" it is accusative, which has the same form. Without an article it means "a receipt"

  8. Ég vil skipta þessu

    I'd like to exchange this

    Usage

    Say it when swapping a purchase; showing the receipt speeds things up

    Grammar Note

    "Skipta" takes the dative, so "þetta" becomes "þessu". "Vilja" is followed by a bare infinitive, without "að"

  9. Eigið þið eitthvað í gjöf?

    Do you have something for a gift?

    Usage

    Ask when you are looking for a present or souvenir

    Grammar Note

    "Eitthvað" means "something" and "gjöf" is a feminine noun for gift; "í gjöf" means "as a gift". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  10. Getið þið pakkað þessu inn?

    Can you wrap it up?

    Usage

    For asking the shop to wrap a purchase

    Grammar Note

    "Pakka inn" means "to wrap"; the thing wrapped is dative, so "þetta" becomes "þessu". "Getið þið" is the plural "can you" addressed to the staff. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  11. Ég þarf ekki kvittun

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    To decline a receipt

    Grammar Note

    "Þurfa" takes the accusative, which has the same form for the feminine noun "kvittun". "Ekki" comes after the verb

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