Basic Verbs

1. að fara

   To go

   Usage

   The basic verb for going, on foot or by vehicle

   Grammar Note

   The infinitive is "að" plus the base form. Present "ég fer", past "ég fór" (irregular). "Fara á/í" takes the accusative for the destination

2. að koma

   To come

   Usage

   The basic verb for coming

   Grammar Note

   Infinitive "að koma". Present "ég kem", past "ég kom" (irregular)

3. að borða

   To eat

   Usage

   The basic verb for eating

   Grammar Note

   Infinitive "að borða". Present "ég borða", the first person is the same as the infinitive

4. að drekka

   To drink

   Usage

   The basic verb for drinking

   Grammar Note

   Infinitive "að drekka". Present "ég drekk", past "ég drakk" (irregular)

5. að kaupa

   To buy

   Usage

   The basic shopping verb

   Grammar Note

   Infinitive "að kaupa". Present "ég kaupi", past "ég keypti". The thing bought is in the accusative

6. að sjá

   To see

   Usage

   The basic verb for seeing

   Grammar Note

   Infinitive "að sjá". Present "ég sé", past "ég sá". For watching deliberately use "horfa á"

7. að bíða

   To wait

   Usage

   The basic verb for waiting

   Grammar Note

   Infinitive "að bíða". Present "ég bíð", past "ég beið" (irregular). The thing awaited takes "eftir" plus the dative

8. Ég vil fara þangað

   I want to go there

   Usage

   Say it while pointing at a place or map

   Grammar Note

   "Vilja" (to want) is followed by the bare infinitive without "að". "Þangað" means "to there" (direction)

9. Mig langar að borða

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Say it when you are hungry

   Grammar Note

   "Langa" takes an accusative subject: say "Mig langar", never "Ég langar". It is followed by "að" plus the infinitive

10. Mig langar í þetta

    I want it

    Usage

    Say it while pointing at what you want

    Grammar Note

    "Langa í" means "to want something"; the subject is the accusative "mig" and "í" takes the accusative here

11. Ég þarf þetta ekki

    I don't need it

    Usage

    Use it to turn down something offered

    Grammar Note

    "Þurfa" takes an object in the accusative. "Ekki" can stand at the end here

12. Ég er að leita að þessu

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    Say it while showing or pointing to what you look for

    Grammar Note

    "Vera að" plus the infinitive expresses an ongoing action. "Leita að" takes the dative, so "þetta" becomes "þessu"

13. Ég er með það

    I have it

    Usage

    Use it when you have what was asked for

    Grammar Note

    "Vera með" means "to have with you"

14. Ég er ekki með það

    I don't have it

    Usage

    Use it when you do not have what was asked for

    Grammar Note

    "Ekki" follows the conjugated verb "er"

15. Ég vil taka út peninga

    I'd like to withdraw money

    Usage

    Use it at a bank or cash machine

    Grammar Note

    "Taka út" means "to withdraw". "Peninga" is the accusative of "peningar"

16. Ég vil panta

    I'd like to book

    Usage

    Use it to book a hotel or table

    Grammar Note

    "Panta" means "to book/order". Follow it with "borð" (a table) or "herbergi" (a room)

17. Geturðu hjálpað mér?

    Can you help me?

    Usage

    Use it to ask for help

    Grammar Note

    "Geturðu" is "getur þú" contracted. "Hjálpa" takes the dative, so "mér". More politely: "Gætirðu hjálpað mér?"

18. Geturðu sagt mér það?

    Can you tell me?

    Usage

    Use it to ask for information

    Grammar Note

    "Segja" takes the person in the dative ("mér") and the thing in the accusative ("það"). More politely: "Gætirðu sagt mér ...?"

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