Singular-Only and Plural-Only Noun in Icelandic

In Icelandic, most nouns follow the standard rule: one car (bíll), two cars (bílar). But some words are "stubborn." They exist only in the singular or only in the plural. This isn't just a vocabulary list, it changes how you count!

1. Singular-Only Nouns (Eintölunafnorð)

These words represent concepts, substances, or masses that cannot be counted individually. You generally cannot put these into a plural form.

Substances (Mass Nouns):

Mjólk (Milk)
Kjöt (Meat)
Sykur (Sugar)
Kaffi (Coffee)
Gull (Gold)

Abstract Concepts:

Gleði (Joy)
Elli (Old age)

Groups (Grammatically Singular):

Fólk (People) – Note: Even though this implies many people, the word itself is singular.
Fjöldi (Multitude/Crowd)

Rule of thumb: You wouldn't say "two milks" or "three old ages" in English either. The logic is very similar in Icelandic.

2. Plural-Only Nouns (Fleirtölunafnorð)

These words always look plural and always take a plural verb. They often refer to things that come in pairs, complex events, or abstract collections.

The List (Grouped by Gender)

It is crucial to know the gender of these plural words because it affects which numbers you use (see below).

Masculine (kk.): Tónleikar (Concert)

Feminine (kvk.): Buxur (Trousers/Pants), Bókmenntir (Literature), Svalir (Balcony)

Neuter (hk.): Gleraugu (Glasses), Hjón (Married couple), Skæri (Scissors), Göng (Tunnel), Jól (Christmas), Meðmæli (Recommendation), Rök (Arguments/Logic), Úrslit (Results), Verðlaun (Prize/Award), Vísindi (Science)

3. The "Tvennir" Rule: How to Count Them

This is the most important grammar rule for this topic. You cannot use the normal numbers (einn, tveir, þrír) with Plural-Only nouns.

If you say "Tveir buxur," it sounds wrong to an Icelander. Instead, you must use a special set of numerals designed specifically for these words.

The Special Numbers (1-4)

Instead of einn, tveir, þrír, fjórir, you use:

Einir (used for 1 set/pair)
Tvennir
Þrennir
Fernir

Examples in action:

Ég á tvenn gleraugu. (I have two pairs of glasses).
Hún keypti þrennar buxur. (She bought three pairs of pants).
Þetta eru fernie tónleikar. (These are four concerts).

Note: Just like normal numbers, einir/tvennir/þrennir/fernir must agree with the gender of the noun (e.g., tvenn gleraugu (neuter), tvennar buxur (feminine)).

4. The Alternative: Counting "Pairs"

If you find the tvennir/þrennir rule difficult, there is sometimes a cheat code for objects that come in physical pairs (like shoes, socks, or gloves).

You can use the neuter word Par (pair):

Eitt par (One pair)
Tvö pör (Two pairs)
Þrjú pör (Three pairs)
Fjögur pör (Four pairs)

When to use this: This works well for skór (shoes) or sokkar (socks). However, you generally cannot use this for words like Jól (Christmas) or Tónleikar (Concerts), because they are not a physical "pair" of items. For those, you must stick to the tvennir/þrennir rule.