Sustainability & Eco

11 phrases · Icelandic with romanization, English and audio

  1. Hvar get ég skilað þessu til endurvinnslu?

    Where can I take this for recycling?

    Usage

    Ask when you do not know where to put bottles, cans or packaging

    Grammar Note

    "Skila" takes the dative, hence "þessu". "Til" takes the genitive, and the genitive of "endurvinnsla" (recycling) is "endurvinnslu". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  2. Eruð þið með margnota poka?

    Do you have reusable bags?

    Usage

    Ask in a shop instead of taking a plastic bag

    Grammar Note

    "Margnota" is an indeclinable adjective placed before "poka", the accusative plural of "poki" (bag). "Vera með" expresses "to have". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  3. Er til vistvæn gisting hér?

    Is there eco-friendly accommodation here?

    Usage

    Use it when looking for an environmentally friendly place to stay

    Grammar Note

    "Vistvænn" means "environmentally friendly" and takes the feminine form "vistvæn" to agree with "gisting". "Umhverfisvænn" means the same. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  4. Má ég fylla á vatnsflöskuna mína?

    May I refill my water bottle?

    Usage

    Ask in a café or hotel to fill your own bottle

    Grammar Note

    "Vatnsflaska" is feminine; with the suffixed article its accusative is "vatnsflöskuna". The possessive takes the feminine accusative "mína". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  5. Eruð þið með grænmetisrétti?

    Do you have vegetarian dishes?

    Usage

    Ask a restaurant whether it serves meat-free dishes

    Grammar Note

    "Grænmetisréttur" is a masculine compound of "grænmeti" (vegetables) and "réttur" (dish); its accusative plural is "grænmetisrétti". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  6. Hvernig kemst ég með strætó til Akureyrar?

    How do I get to Akureyri by bus?

    Usage

    Ask how to reach a destination by public bus instead of driving

    Grammar Note

    "Með strætó" means "by bus". "Til" takes the genitive, so "Akureyri" becomes "Akureyrar". Swap in another town as needed. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  7. Hvar er næsti bændamarkaður?

    Where is the nearest farmers' market?

    Usage

    Ask when you want locally grown food sold directly by farmers

    Grammar Note

    "Bændamarkaður" is a masculine compound of "bænda" (of farmers) and "markaður" (market). "Næsti" means "nearest" or "next", here in the masculine form. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  8. Vinsamlegast notið sem minnst af umbúðum.

    Please use as little packaging as possible.

    Usage

    Ask a shop or takeaway to cut down on wrapping

    Grammar Note

    "Vinsamlegast" is formal or written. "Sem minnst af" means "as little of ... as possible", with the dative "umbúðum" after "af". "Umbúðir" is a feminine plural-only noun. Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  9. Hvaða umhverfisvænar ferðir eru í boði?

    Which eco-friendly tours are on offer?

    Usage

    Use it to find low-impact tours and activities

    Grammar Note

    "Ferð" is feminine and its nominative plural is "ferðir". The adjective takes the feminine plural "umhverfisvænar". "Í boði" means "on offer". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  10. Mig langar að kolefnisjafna ferðina mína.

    I'd like to offset the carbon footprint of my trip.

    Usage

    Mention it when booking flights or tours to offset emissions

    Grammar Note

    "Kolefnisjafna" is a verb built from "kolefni" (carbon) and "jafna" (to even out). "Ferð" is feminine; its accusative with the article is "ferðina". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

  11. Hvar er hleðslustöð fyrir rafmagnsbíla?

    Where is the charging station for electric cars?

    Usage

    Ask where to charge when you have an electric car

    Grammar Note

    "Hleðslustöð" is feminine. "Fyrir" takes the accusative here, and the accusative plural of "rafmagnsbíll" is "rafmagnsbíla". Composed sentence, to be checked by a native speaker

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