5 Icelandic Words That Will Make You Sound Like a Native Instantly

When You are battling a vocabulary or phrase, there is a secret weapon that every native speaker uses, a tool that buys you precious seconds while your brain desperately searches for the word.

That weapon is the Hikorð (Filler Word).

Using these words doesn’t just give you time to think; it signals to the listener: "I am not done talking, I just need to buffer for a second." Here is your guide to mastering the art of Icelandic hesitation and short break.

Sko

Use sko when you are about to make a point, correct a misconception, or simply want to announce that you are speaking. It adds a little break.

For example, start a sentence with "Já, sko..." (Well, look...) to sound like you are deep in thought about a complex geopolitical issue, even if you are just deciding which pylsa (hot dog) to order.

Hérna, Hana

Hérna (or hana) literally means "here." But 90% of the time, it means "Word not found in my head." It is the spinning hourglass of the Icelandic conversation.

Use it when you know exactly what you want to say in English, but the Icelandic translation is currently stuck in traffic inside your brain.

Example: "Ég ætla að fá... hérnaaaaaa... kaffi." (I would like ummmmm... coffee.)

Þarna

While Hérna buys you time, Þarna (meaning "there") is specifically used when you have forgotten a noun or a name. It is the designated placeholder for people, places, and objects.

Use it when you forget your boss's name or the word for "refrigerator." It points vaguely at the concept you are grasping for.

For example, use it in the middle of a sentence to skip over the hard vocabulary. "Geturðu rétt mér þarna...?" (Can you hand me the thingy...?) usually works if you point at the object simultaneously.

Bara

Bara means "just" or "only." It is the duct tape of the language. It holds sentences together and softens the blow of direct statements.

Use it when you want to sound casual, modest, or minimize a problem. It turns "I want this" into "I just sort of want this." It makes you sound chill.

You can combine it with others filler word. "Þetta er bara sko..." (This is just, well...you know...). This is a top-tier native phrase that means absolutely nothing but sounds fantastic!

The next time you are speaking Icelandic and you feel the panic rising because you forgot the words, do not freeze, take a deep breath and say: "Já, sko... þetta er bara, hérna... þarna... málið." (Yeah, look... this is just, um... that... the issue.) You have said nothing of substance, but you sounded completely Icelandic doing it.

Next

Using hikorð is the first step to sounding like a native, but you can't build a whole friendship on "sko" and "bara." If you want to go beyond basic words and truly connect with the island, explore our Audio Course for Travellers in Iceland. It's an atmospheric cultural journey that helps you master authentic local pronunciation with 1-on-1 personal feedback!

Prefer a physical book to flip through? Check out The Pocket Guide to Icelandic Conversation for more everyday phrase practice.