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 sentence.

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.

If you’re tired of learning phrases you’ll never use (like "The cat is under the table"), check out The Pocket Guide to Icelandic Conversation. It’s packed with real-life dialogues, practical vocabulary, and the kind of Icelandic that helps you make friends, order coffee, and travel with confidence.