A Guide to Icelandic Adjectives: Mastering the Description
Adjectives (lýsingarorð) bring language to life. In Icelandic, they are famous for changing their shape depending on gender, number, and case. But before you worry about endings, you need to know how to compare them (Big, Bigger, Biggest) and when to use the "Weak" or "Strong" forms.
Here is your guide to the rules, exceptions, and patterns.
Part 1: Stigbreyting (Degrees of Comparison)
Most adjectives follow a standard pattern to go from Positive (frumstig) to Comparative (miðstig) to Superlative (efstastig).
1. The Regulars
The most common pattern adds -ari for the comparative and -astur for the superlative.
| Positive | Comparative (-ari) | Superlative (-astur) |
| Fljótur (Quick) | Fljótari | Fljótastur |
| Dýr (Expensive) | Dýrari | Dýrastur |
| Vitur (Wise) | Vitrari | Vitrastur |
| Skemmtilegur (Fun) | Skemmtilegri | Skemmtilegastur |
| Blár (Blue) | Blárri | Bláastur |
| Hreinn (Clean) | Hreinni | Hreinastur |
Note: Words ending in n or r (like Hreinn or Blár) often double the consonant in the comparative (Hreinni, Blárri).
2. The "B-víxl" (Vowel Shifts)
Some adjectives are shorter. They take -ri in the comparative and -stur in the superlative. However, this shortness causes the vowel to shift (B-víxl).
Here are the essential vowel shifts you need to memorize:
a → e:
- Grannur (Slim) → Grennri → Grennstur
- Other examples: fagur, langur, skammur, svangur
á → æ:
- Lágur (Low) → Lægri → Lægstur
- Fár (Few) → Færri → Fæstur (Also: hár, smár)
ú → ý:
- Djúpur (Deep) → Dýpri → Dýpstur
- Rúmur (Spacious) → Rýmri → Rýmstur
u → y:
- Fullur (Full) → Fyllri → Fyllstur
- Other examples: grunnur, stuttur, ungur, þungur
ö → e:
- Dökkur (Dark) → Dekkri → Dekkstur
- Other examples: þröngur, glöggur
ó → æ:
- Stór (Big) → Stærri → Stærstur
3. The Exceptions (Undantekningar)
These are the most common words, so they break the rules completely. You simply have to learn them by heart.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Gamall (Old) | Eldri | Elstur |
| Góður (Good) | Betri | Bestur |
| Lítill (Small) | Minni | Minnstur |
| Mikill (Much) | Meiri | Mestur |
| Vondur (Bad) | Verri | Verstur |
Part 2: The "Freebies" (Indeclinable)
Good news! Some adjectives never change. No matter the gender or case, they stay exactly the same.
- Hissa (Surprised)
- Einmana (Lonely)
- Andvaka (Sleepless)
- Hugsi (Pensive)
- Lifandi (Alive)
- Vakandi (Awake)
Part 3: Adding Emphasis (Áhersluorð)
When you want to say something is very good or much better, you must use the correct word for the correct degree.
With Positive: Use Mjög
- Mjög skemmtilegur (Very fun)
With Comparative: Use Miklu
- Miklu skemmtilegri (Much more fun)
- Ennþá verri (Even worse)
With Superlative: Use Lang- or Al- or Allra
- Langskemmtilegastur (By far the most fun)
- Albest (The very best)
- Allra verstur (The worst of all)
Part 4: Weak vs. Strong (Veik og Sterk Beyging)
This is often the hardest part for learners. When do you use the weak ending (usually -i/-u/-a) and when do you use the strong ending?
1. Strong Declension (Sterk)
Use this when the adjective stands alone after the verb "to be" (sagnorð), or with "Þessi" as a statement.
- Bíllinn er rauður. (The car is red).
- Þessi bíll er bestur. (This car is the best).
2. Weak Declension (Veik)
Use this when the adjective is supporting a definite noun, or in specific grammatical structures.
- Definite Nouns: Rauði kross Íslands (The Red Cross).
- With Demonstratives: Þessa skemmtilegu bók (This fun book).
- Direct Address: Kæru gestir (Dear guests).
The Golden Rules of Weak Declension
If you remember nothing else, remember these two rules:
Comparative is ALWAYS Weak: Adjectives in the middle degree (miðstig) never take strong endings.
- Stærri snúður (A bigger bun).
Superlative + Noun is ALWAYS Weak: If the "best" thing is right next to the noun, it is weak.
- Þetta er versta bók. (This is the worst book).
Part 5: Possession and the Article (Greinir)
Icelandic has specific rules for when to use the attached article (greinir) with possessive pronouns (minn/þinn).
When to DROP the Article (No Greinir)
You do not use the article with the noun when using:
Demonstratives: Þessi bók (This book), Sá gamall (That old one).
Abstract concepts: Hugmynd hans (His idea), Skoðun okkar (Our opinion).
Close Relations (Family/Friends):
- Frænka mín
- Bróðir minn
- Vinur minn
- Kunningi minn
- Afi minn
When to KEEP the Article (Með Greini)
You must use the attached article with the noun when talking about spouses or concrete objects:
Concrete Objects: Bíllinn minn (My car).
Spouses/Partners:
- Konan mín (My wife)
- Maðurinn minn (My husband)
- Kærastinn minn (My boyfriend)
- Kærastan mín (My girlfriend)
Learn more
→ Singular-Only and Plural-Only Icelandic Noun
→ Icelandic pronunciation practice
Photo by Rob Nelson
