Slang

1. Blessaður

   Hi (to a man)

   Usage

   A casual hello to a man; to a woman say "Blessuð". Fine with friends, peers and shop staff, but in formal settings "Góðan daginn" is safer

   Grammar Note

   Originally the adjective "blessed", used as a greeting. It agrees with the listener: "Blessaður" (man) or "Blessuð" (woman)

2. Þetta reddast

   It will work out

   Usage

   Iceland's famous catchphrase for reassuring someone, or yourself, that things will sort themselves out. Casual but never rude, so it suits anyone

   Grammar Note

   "Reddast" is the "-st" (middle) form of "redda" (to fix, sort out), giving the sense "to sort itself out"

3. Ég redda þessu

   I'll sort it out

   Usage

   A casual "I'll take care of it" or "I'll get it for you". Fine with colleagues and friends; in more formal work settings "Ég sé um þetta" sounds more polished

   Grammar Note

   "Redda" takes the dative, so it is "þessu", not "þetta". The dictionary example "geturðu reddað mér penna?" (can you get me a pen?) shows the same use

4. Slakaðu á

   Relax

   Usage

   Said to someone who is stressed or agitated. For friends only: to a stranger or an elder it can sound bossy. The polite or plural form is "Slakið á"

   Grammar Note

   "Slaka á" means "to relax". The imperative is "slakaðu á" (singular) and "slakið á" (plural); "á" is part of the verb phrase

5. Geggjað!

   Awesome!

   Usage

   A youthful exclamation of approval for something really good. Use it with friends and peers; with elders or in formal settings "Frábært" is safer

   Grammar Note

   "Geggjaður" originally means "mad" and in speech it also means "awesome". It takes the neuter form here, as in "Þetta er geggjað"

6. Mér finnst þetta æði

   I think this is great

   Usage

   A casual way to say you love something. Safe with friends and shop staff. Note that "æði" can also mean "frenzy", so avoid using it about a person's behaviour

   Grammar Note

   "Mér finnst …" is the standard way to give an opinion, with "mér" in the dative. "Æði" is a neuter noun used here like an adjective meaning "great"

7. Þetta er kósí

   This is cosy

   Usage

   A colloquial loan from English "cosy". Praising a café, a guesthouse or a friend's home with it always goes down well. In more formal speech use "notalegt"

   Grammar Note

   "Kósí" is an indeclinable adjective: it keeps the same form in every gender and case. The dictionary example is "kósí fjölskyldukvöld" (a cosy family evening)

8. Eigum við að hanga saman í kvöld?

   Shall we hang out tonight?

   Usage

   A casual invitation to a friend or peer. "Hanga" means to spend time together without any plan. With colleagues or elders use "Eigum við að hittast?" (shall we meet?)

   Grammar Note

   "Eigum við að …?" is the standard way to suggest doing something together. "Hanga" literally means "to hang" and colloquially "to idle around together"

9. Hann er kunningi minn

   He is an acquaintance of mine

   Usage

   Introduces someone you know but who is not a close friend. Polite with anyone. For a close friend say "vinur minn"

   Grammar Note

   "Kunningi" is masculine; a female acquaintance is "kunningjakona". The possessive agrees with the noun, so "minn" goes with a masculine noun

10. Þetta er bömmer

    That's a bummer

    Usage

    A youthful reaction to a disappointment. Use with friends and peers; at work or with elders say "Þetta er leiðinlegt". It is about a situation, never a person

    Grammar Note

    "Bömmer" is a masculine loan from English "bummer". The phrase "vera á bömmer" means to be feeling down

11. Ég nenni ekki

    I can't be bothered

    Usage

    Said when you simply do not feel like doing something. Fine with friends and family; at work or with elders it sounds careless. Add "að" plus a verb to say what

    Grammar Note

    "Nenna" means to have the energy or will to do something, and the negative is the usual way to say "can't be bothered". Example: "Ég nenni ekki að læra"

12. Hún masar mikið

    She chats a lot

    Usage

    "Masa" is to chatter on aimlessly. A friendly word, but said about a person it can sound mildly critical, so avoid it in front of them

    Grammar Note

    "Masa" is a regular verb: "ég masa, þú masar, hún masar". Here "mikið" works as an adverb meaning "a lot"

13. Jæja

    Well then

    Usage

    An all-purpose interjection for changing the subject, starting work or signalling it is time to go. Fine with anyone, but the tone can sound impatient

    Grammar Note

    Used at the start of a sentence, as in "Jæja, komum okkur" (well, let's go). The tone of voice shifts it between "well then", "oh dear" and "I see"

14. Hann er sko með ofnæmi

    You see, he has an allergy

    Usage

    The small word "sko" adds "you see" or "mind you" in speech. Very common in conversation, but leave it out of writing and formal settings

    Grammar Note

    "Sko" usually sits right after the verb. "Með ofnæmi" means "having an allergy", and "með" takes the dative here

15. Það var mikið stuð

    It was a lively time

    Usage

    A casual way to say a party or concert had great energy. Use with friends and peers; in formal speech say "Það var mjög skemmtilegt" (it was very enjoyable)

    Grammar Note

    "Stuð" is a neuter noun meaning "a good party mood". It also means "electric shock", so context decides

16. Eigum við að fara á djammið?

    Shall we go out partying?

    Usage

    A casual invitation to a friend to go out drinking or dancing. For friends and peers only, not for elders or colleagues. In Reykjavík going out starts late on weekend nights

    Grammar Note

    "Djamm" is a colloquial neuter noun, and "fara á djammið" means "to go out on the town". The definite article is a suffix: "djammið"

17. Ég er með þynnku

    I have a hangover

    Usage

    Describes the morning-after feeling. Fine with friends and in a pharmacy, where you can ask for something to help

    Grammar Note

    "Þynnka" is feminine and takes the dative "þynnku" after "með". "Ég er með …" is the usual way to name a symptom

18. Ég skrepp út í búð

    I'll pop out to the shop

    Usage

    "Skreppa" means a quick short trip. A natural way to tell a flatmate or colleague you are stepping out briefly. Polite with anyone

    Grammar Note

    The first-person present of "skreppa" is "skrepp". "Út í búð" is the fixed way to say "out to the shop", with "í" taking the accusative to show direction

19. Ég labba heim

    I'm walking home

    Usage

    "Labba" is the casual word for "ganga" (to walk), common among friends. In formal speech or writing use "Ég geng heim"

    Grammar Note

    "Heim" means "(to) home" as a direction, while "heima" means "at home". Since you are moving, "heim" is the right form

20. Förum á rúntinn

    Let's go for a cruise

    Usage

    "Rúnturinn" is the old Icelandic pastime of driving round the town centre for fun. A casual invitation among friends, not for work settings

    Grammar Note

    "Förum" is the first-person plural present of "fara" (to go) and is used as "let's go" (the past tense is "fórum"). "Rúnturinn" is the masculine accusative with the article attached

21. Ég fer í sjoppuna

    I'm going to the kiosk

    Usage

    A "sjoppa" is a small kiosk selling hot dogs, sweets, drinks and snacks, often attached to a petrol station. Colloquial, but fine with anyone

    Grammar Note

    "Sjoppa" is feminine. "Fara í" takes the accusative for a destination, giving "sjoppuna" (accusative with the article)

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