Velkomin! This is a great start to learning Icelandic.

Introducing Yourself

Ég heiti... (My name is...)

Ég er frá... (I am from...)

Ég tala... (I speak...)

Asking for the Same Information

Hvað heitir þú? (What is your name?)

Hvaðan ert þú? (Where are you from?)

Hvaða mál talar þú? (What language do you speak?)

Example conversation:

Hæ! Ég heiti Anna. Hvað heitir þú? (Hi! My name is Anna. What is your name?)

Hæ! Ég heiti Jón. Ég er frá Íslandi. Hvaðan ert þú? (Hi! My name is Jón. I am from Iceland. Where are you from?)

Ég er frá Póllandi. Ég tala pólsku og ensku. Hvaða mál talar þú? (I am from Poland. I speak Polish and English. What languages do you speak?)

Ég tala íslensku og ensku. (I speak Icelandic and English.)

Icelandic has several ways to greet and say goodbye, depending on the time of day and who you are talking to.

General Greetings

Halló (Hello)

Hæ (Hi)

Hæhæ (Hi)

Time-Specific Greetings

Góðan daginn / Góðan dag (Good day / Good morning)

Gott kvöld / Góða kvöldið (Good evening)

Farewells

Bless bless (Goodbye / Bye)

Bless (Goodbye / Bye)

Bæ bæ (Goodbye / Bye)

Sjáumst (See you later)

Asking and Answering "How are you?" is a common and friendly way to start a conversation.

Asking

Hvað segir þú gott í dag? (What do you say good today? / How are you today?)

Hvað segir þú gott? (How are you?)

Hvernig gengur? (How's it going?) - Very common and versatile, used with people you know well or acquaintances.

Hvað segirðu? (What's up?) - This is a shortened, informal version of your phrase Hvað segir þú gott? It's a quick, friendly greeting.

Hvað er að frétta? (What's new?) - A friendly, informal way to greet someone and ask for an update on their life.

Answering

Ég segi allt gott (I say everything good / Everything's good)

Allt fínt (Everything's fine)

Allt ágætt (Everything's quite good)

Allt sæmilegt (Everything's okay / so-so)

Introducing someone in Icelandic is relatively straightforward. The most common and polite way to do it is with a simple phrase that translates to "This is..." followed by the person's name. The formality of the greeting can change slightly depending on the context.

Basic Phrases

Þetta er... (This is...)

Má ég kynna...? (May I introduce...?)

Example:

Hæ, ég heiti Jón. Þetta er Anna. (Hi, my name is Jón. This is Anna.)

Má ég kynna þér vin minn, Jón?" (May I introduce my friend, Jón?) - This is a more formal or polite way to introduce someone.

Responses to an Introduction

When you are introduced to someone, a common and polite response is:

Gaman að kynnast þér. (Nice to meet you.)

Sömuleiðis. (Me too.)

Combining Greetings and Introductions

Hæ, ég heiti Jón. (Hi, my name is Jón.)

Hæ, Jón. Ég heiti Anna. (Hi, Jón. My name is Anna.)

Gaman að kynnast þér. (Nice to meet you.)

Sömuleiðis. (Me too.)

If you are introducing a friend:

Hæ, Þetta er vinur minn, Jón. (Hi, this is my friend, Jón.)

Hæ, Jón. Gaman að kynnast þér. (Hi, Jón. Nice to meet you.)

Learning how to say "thank you" and "sorry" are essential for any language learner, and Icelandic is no exception. While many Icelanders speak excellent English, using these phrases is a great way to show respect and make a good impression.

Thank You

The most common way to say "thank you" in Icelandic is:

Takk - This is the most common and versatile word, equivalent to "thanks." You can use it in almost any situation, from a casual chat with a friend to paying for something in a shop.

Takk fyrir - This is a slightly more polite and formal version, meaning "thank you" or "thanks for that." You can use this with people you don't know well or in more formal settings.

Takk kærlega fyrir - This means "thank you very much" or "thanks a lot." It adds more emphasis and is a very polite way to show gratitude.

Þakka þér fyrir - This is a formal and more complete phrase, literally meaning "I thank you for it." You would use this in a very formal setting, like in a speech or a business letter.

Sorry

The way you say "sorry" in Icelandic depends on the context and the severity of the situation. There are a few key phrases to learn:

Afsakið - This is the most common and versatile word for "sorry" in a casual context. It can mean "excuse me" or a light apology, such as if you accidentally bump into someone or need to get past them.

Fyrirgefðu - This is a stronger apology, closer to "I'm sorry" or "forgive me." You would use this for a more serious mistake, like if you've upset someone or broken something.

Useful related phrases:

Afsakið, talar þú ensku? (Excuse me, do you speak English?)

Fyrirgefðu, ég skil ekki. (Sorry, I don't understand.)

Knowing when to use each of these phrases will help you navigate social situations in Iceland with politeness and respect.

Replying to "Thank You"

Það var ekkert - This is a common phrase, meaning "it was nothing." It's a friendly and casual way to downplay the favor.

Það var lítið - is a common Icelandic phrase that means "It was nothing" or "It's a small thing."

Replying to "Sorry"

Allt í lagi - This is a very common response, meaning "it's okay" or "it's all good." You can use it for minor apologies, like if someone bumps into you.

Ekkert mál - This translates to "no problem."9 It's a friendly and casual response, reassuring the person that their mistake was not a big deal.

Það er í lagi - Similar to "Allt í lagi," this also means "that's okay."

Þetta reddast -This is a famous Icelandic saying that means "it will all work out." While not a direct response to an apology, it's a very common phrase used to show that you're not worried about a situation and that everything will be fine. You might use this if someone apologizes for a small mistake or inconvenience.

In an Icelandic conversation, the word "ha" is a very common and versatile interjection. Its meaning depends heavily on the tone of voice and the context. Here's a breakdown of its most frequent uses:

1. "Huh?" or "What?" (Asking for repetition): This is the most common use. If said with a rising, questioning tone, it's a polite and casual way to signal that you didn't hear or understand what was just said. It's the equivalent of "Pardon?" or "Could you repeat that?" in English.
2. "Yeah" or "Right" (Agreement): When said with a downward, affirmative tone, "ha" can be used as a short, casual way to agree with someone or acknowledge what they said. It's similar to "Já" but more informal.
3. Surprise or Shock: When uttered with a sharp, surprised tone, "ha" can express a sudden realization or shock. It's like "Oh!" or "Wow, really?"
4. Skepticism or Doubt: A drawn-out or skeptical "haaaa" can express doubt or disbelief, as if to say, "I'm not so sure about that."
5. Amusement: A short, sharp "ha" can also be a brief laugh or a way to express amusement, similar to "he" or "huh" in English when something is funny.

Some people feel weird when they try to speak Icelandic and other responses with "ha". Here’s an explanation of why that happens and how to interpret it.

It’s Not a Judgment on Your Icelandic

First and foremost, when an Icelander responds with "ha," they are almost certainly not judging your pronunciation or grammar. They are not saying, "Your Icelandic is so bad I can't understand you." They are simply reacting naturally because the sound they heard wasn't clear to them. It could be due to:

• A noisy environment: You're in a cafe or on the street, and they simply didn't hear you clearly.
• Your speed: You might be speaking a little too fast, or the rhythm of your sentence is different from a native speaker's.
• A new word: You might have used a word they didn't expect to hear in that context, and they're just trying to process it.

It's a Request for Clarification

The "ha" is a quick and efficient way for them to say, "Can you please repeat that?" without making a big deal out of it. It’s part of a culture that values direct communication. They’re not trying to be impolite; they're trying to move the conversation forward.

What You Can Do

If you get a "ha" in response, don't be discouraged! Just try to repeat what you said, perhaps a little more slowly or with a slightly different emphasis. You can also rephrase the sentence if you think that will help.

In a way, getting a "ha" means you've successfully started a conversation. It shows that the person you're speaking with is trying to engage with you in Icelandic, and they're inviting you to try again. It's a natural part of the learning process.

With a very small population, Icelanders are often curious about how they might be connected. A question about where you live, where you grew up, or who your family is can be a way to establish a potential connection, like "Oh, my cousin lives there!" or "I think I know your aunt's family." This is a fundamental part of small talk and getting to know someone.

Where do you live?

Hvar átt þú / áttu heima? (Where do you live?)

Hvar býrð þú / býrðu? (Where do you live?)

When answering, the choice of preposition is important.

Í is typically used for most towns and cities.

Ég á heima í Reykjavík. (I live in Reykjavík.)

Ég bý í Hafnarfirði. (I live in Hafnarfjörður.)

Á is used for certain specific locations, like farms, villages, or islands. There are also some exceptions.

Ég bý á Akureyri. (I live in Akureyri.)

Ég bý á Selfossi (I live in Selfoss.)

Turning the Question Back

En þú? (And you?)

This is the simplest and most common way to politely ask the same question back to the other person.

• Reykjavík
• Kópavogur
• Hafnarfjörður
• Reykjanesbær
• Borgarnes
• Akranes
• Selfoss
• Vestmannaeyjar
• Vík
• Höfn
• Egilsstaðir
• Húsavík
• Akureyri
• Sauðárkrókur
• Ísafjörður

Asking about someone's commute is a very common topic of conversation in Iceland, especially when getting to know new acquaintances or colleagues. It's often a natural follow-up to "Where do you live?" as it provides practical information that can lead to further discussion.

How do you commute?

Hvernig fer hún í skólann? (How does she go to school?)

Hvernig fer hann í vinnuna? (How does he go to work?)

Hvernig ferðu í miðbæinn? (How do you go to the city center?)

Hvernig ferðu á flugvöllinn? (How do you go to the airport?)

Hvernig ferðu í sund? (How do you go to the swimming pool?)

Common Ways to Commute in Iceland

Ég fer gangandi. (I go on foot / I walk.)

Ég fer í strætó. (I go by bus.)

Ég hjóla. (I go cycling.)

Ég keyri. (I drive.)

Ég fæ far. (I get a ride.)

Ég fer á bíl. (I go by car.)

Ég fer gangandi, það er stutt. (I go on foot, it's a short distance.)

Ég tek leigubíl. (I take a taxi.)

Það tekur mig 20 mínútur. (It takes me 20 minutes.)

Iceland does not have a public railway system. It's a common observation for visitors. The reasons are a mix of geography, economics, and history.

Why There Are No Trains

There are a few key reasons for the lack of a train system in Iceland:

Small Population: With a population of under 400,000, the cost of building and maintaining a railway system would be extremely high for the number of people who would use it. It's simply not a viable business model.

Difficult Terrain: Iceland's landscape is famously rugged. Building tracks through volcanic fields, mountains, and over rivers and glaciers would be a massive and expensive engineering challenge.

Widespread Car Ownership: Icelandic people are heavily reliant on cars, which makes it easy to travel between towns and cities without needing a train.

How People Travel in Iceland

Since there are no trains, people rely on other methods to get around, as you've noted in your phrases.

Bílum (Cars): The most common way for people to travel. The Ring Road (Hringvegurinn) goes all the way around the island, connecting most of the major towns.

Strætó (City Bus): This is the public bus system used within urban areas, primarily in Reykjavík and surrounding municipalities.

Rútu (Long-distance Bus): These are buses that travel between towns and regions, serving as a key form of public transport for those without a car.

Flugvélum (Airplanes): Domestic flights are very common for traveling long distances, especially between Reykjavík and towns in the north, east, and west, as it's much faster than driving.

Skipi (Ships/Ferries): Ferries are used to connect the mainland with islands like the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) and to travel along parts of the coast.

Talking about skills

Kannt þú að...?/Kanntu að...? (Can you...?)

Já, ég kann að... (Yes, I can...)

Nei, ég kann ekki að... (No, I can't...)

Here are some other examples to help you practice this structure:

Kanntu að synda? (Can you swim?)

Já, ég kann að synda. (Yes, I can swim.)

Kanntu að tala frönsku? (Can you speak French?)

Nei, ég kann ekki að tala frönsku. (No, I can't speak French.)

Kanntu að spila á gítar? (Can you play the guitar?)

Já, ég kann að spila á gítar. (Yes, I can play the guitar.)

Some Skills and Activities

Að elda (to cook)

Að aka bíl (to drive car)

Að baka köku (to bake cake)

Að mála (to paint)

Að dansa (to dance)

Að prjóna (to knit)

Að spila á píanó (to play the piano)

Að spila á trommur (to play the drums)

Að spila körfubolta (to play basketball)

Að spila fótbolta (to play soccer)

It is very common and natural to talk about the topic of language in Iceland. You will find that Icelanders are very patient and encouraging if you try to use the Icelandic phrases you know. They appreciate the effort and will often happily switch to English to help you, or even continue the conversation in Icelandic if you show a desire to practice.

Asking about languages

Talar þú ensku? - Do you speak English?

Hvaða tungumál talar þú? - What languages do you speak?

Talar einhver ensku hér? - Does anyone here speak English?

Talar þú íslensku? - Do you speak Icelandic?

Talking about your own language abilities

Ég tala ekki íslensku. - I don't speak Icelandic.

Ég tala aðeins smá íslensku. - I only speak a little Icelandic.

Ég er að læra íslensku. - I am learning Icelandic.

Gætir þú talað svolítið hægar? - Could you speak a little slower?

Ég skil ekki. - I don't understand.

Skilur þú? - Do you understand?

Common languages

Danska - Danish

Þýska - German

Franska - French

Spænska - Spanish

Sænska - Swedish

Norska - Norwegian

Pólska - Polish

Rússneska - Russian

The most common and polite way to ask where someone is from is to use a direct question about their origin.

Hvaðan ertu? - Where are you from?

Stating Your Nationality

When responding, you will use the phrase Ég er frá... (I am from...) followed by your country, or you can state your nationality directly.

Ég er frá Bandaríkjunum. (I am from the United States.)

Ég er amerískur. (I am American.)

Useful Words

• Þjóðerni - Nationality
• Land - Country
• Útlendingur - Foreigner
• Bandaríkin (United States)
• Bretland (Britain)
• Kanada (Canada)
• Þýskaland (Germany)
• Frakkland (France)
• Spánn (Spain)
• Ítalía (Italy)
• Danmörk (Denmark)
• Noregur (Norway)
• Svíþjóð (Sweden)

Asking about someone's job:

Hvar vinnur þú? (Where do you work?)

Hvað gerir þú í vinnunni? (What do you do at work?)

Hver er starf þitt? (What is your job?)

Við hvað vinnur þú? (What do you work as?)

Answering what you do:

Ég er kennari. (I am a teacher.)

Ég er læknir. (I am a doctor.)

Ég vinn í skóla. (I work at a school.)

Ég vinn á spítala. (I work at a hospital.)

Expressing how you feel about your job:

Mér finnst það gaman. (I like it / I enjoy it.)

Mér líkar vel við vinnuna mína. (I like my job a lot.)

Mér finnst það allt í lagi. (It's alright / It's okay.)

Ég er ánægður í vinnunni. (I'm happy at work.)

Mér finnst það erfitt. (I find it difficult.)

Mér leiðist. (I am bored.)

In Iceland, it is quite common to ask about someone's marital status or if they have children, but the timing and context are key.

You're less likely to be asked these questions immediately upon meeting a stranger, but they are very common in social settings like parties, in hot tubs, or after a bit of small talk with a new acquaintance.

Asking About Marital Status

Notice that the questions have two forms: a longer, more formal version with þú and a shorter, more conversational version. Both are correct. The key difference is the gender of the person you're speaking to.

Ert þú giftur? / Ertu giftur? (Are you married?) - Used when speaking to a man.

Ert þú gift? / Ertu gift? (Are you married?) - Used when speaking to a woman.

or

Ertu í sambandi? (Are you in a relationship?) - This is a more general and often more common question.

Answering About Marital Status

Your responses are also gender-specific.

Já, ég er giftur/gift. (Yes, I am married.)

Nei, ég er ekki giftur/gift. (No, I am not married.)

Nei, ég er skilinn/skilin. (No, I am divorced.)

Ég er í sambúð. (No, but I am in a relationship/cohabiting.) - This phrase is very common for people who live together but are not married.

Ég er einhleypur / Ég er einhleyp. (I am single.)

Asking About Children

The word börn means "children" (plural), while barn is the singular form.

Átt þú börn? (Do you have children?)

Hvað átt þú mörg börn? (How many children do you have?)

Answering About Children

Já, ég á börn. (Yes, I have children.)

Nei, ég á ekki börn. (No, I do not have children.)

When you specify the number of children, the word barn/börn changes depending on the quantity.

Ég á eitt barn. (I have one child.)

Ég á tvö börn. (I have two children.)

Ég á þrjú börn. (I have three children.)

Icelandic numbers are a fascinating and sometimes challenging aspect of the language, particularly for learners, because the first four numbers change their form depending on the gender and case of the noun they are modifying.

Numbers 1-4: The Declension

This is the most complex part. The numbers "one" through "four" have different forms for masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns, as well as for different grammatical cases (nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive).

• nominative: einn - ein - eitt
• accusative: einn - eina - eitt
• dative: einum - einni - einu
• genitive: eins - einnar - eins

This means you can't just say "tveir" for everything. You have to consider what you are counting. For instance:

• tveir hringir (two rings, masculine)
• tvær konur (two women, feminine)
• tvö börn (two children, neuter)

Numbers 5 and up

Thankfully, from five onwards, the numbers do not change their form based on gender. They are much simpler to learn.

Here's a list of some of the basic numbers:

• 5: fimm
• 6: sex
• 7: sjö
• 8: átta
• 9: níu
• 10: tíu
• 11: ellefu
• 12: tólf
• 13: þrettán
• 14: fjórtán
• 15: fimmtán
• 16: sextán
• 17: sautján
• 18: átján
• 19: nítján
• 20: tuttugu

Compound Numbers

Creating larger numbers is fairly systematic, similar to English. You use og (and) to connect the tens and the units.

• 21: tuttugu og einn
• 22: tuttugu og tveir
• 30: þrjátíu
• 40: fjörutíu
• 50: fimmtíu
• 100: hundrað
• 101: hundrað og einn
• 1,000: þúsund
• 1,000,000: milljón

The most common way to ask for a phone number is:

Hvert er símanúmerið þitt? (What is your phone number?)

Hvaða númer ertu með? (What number do you have?)

Giving Your Phone Number

When someone asks you for your number, you can respond in a few ways. The most direct is to simply state the number.

Símanúmerið mitt er... (My phone number is...)

Það er... (It is...)

Or, simply say the numbers directly.

Icelandic phone numbers are typically seven digits long and are often said in pairs or groups.

For example, if your number is 555-1234, you would say:

fimm, fimm, fimm, einn, tveir, þrír, fjórir.

Other Useful Phrases

Má ég fá símanúmerið þitt? (May I have your phone number?)

Gætir þú gefið mér símanúmerið þitt? (Could you give me your phone number?)

Hringdu í mig. (Call me.)

Hringdu í mig í síma 885 - 5326 (Call me at 885 - 5326)

What is a Kennitala?

The kennitala is a ten-digit number with a very specific format. It contains your date of birth and other identifying information.

• Digits 1-6: Your date of birth in the format DDMMYY (Day, Month, Year). For example, if you were born on January 2nd, 1985, the first six digits would be 020185.
• Digits 7-8: Two random numbers.
• Digit 9: A check digit.
• Digit 10: The century of your birth, which is either 9 (for 1900s) or 0 (for 2000s).

A typical kennitala would look something like 020185-1239 (often written with a hyphen after the first six digits).

Asking for a Kennitala

Hver er kennitalan þín? (What is your kennitala?)

Gætirðu gefið mér kennitöluna þína? (Could you give me your kennitala?)

Viltu skrifa niður kennitöluna þína? (Would you write down your kennitala?)

Giving Your Kennitala

When asked for your kennitala, you can say:

Kennitalan mín er... (My kennitala is...)

Hún er... (It is...)

Or, simply state the numbers.

For example, for the number 020185-1239, you would say the numbers one by one: núll, tveir, núll, einn, átta, fimm, einn, tveir, þrír, níu.

Other useful phrases

Ég er með kennitölu. (I have a kennitala.)

Ég er ekki með kennitölu. (I don't have a kennitala.)

Hvað er kennitalan á fyrirtækinu? (What is the company's kennitala?)

It's important to remember that companies and institutions also have kennitölur, which are used for official registration and business purposes.

The Importance of a Kennitala

Without a kennitala, it's very difficult to function in Icelandic society. It's a prerequisite for:

• Opening a bank account.
• Getting a job.
• Paying taxes.
• Accessing government services.
• Signing up for a mobile phone plan.

For foreigners moving to Iceland, getting a kennitala is one of the first and most crucial steps to take.

To say a specific year, such as 1993, you would say it like this:

nítjánhundruð níutíu og þrjú (nineteen hundred ninety-three,)

The word hundrað (hundred) is often pronounced in a mumbled or shortened way, sometimes sounding like "hundnið" or "undruð," especially in casual conversation.

Here are some examples of how to use years in sentences:

Árið 1993 var gott ár. (The year 1993 was a good year.)

Hún fæddist árið 1985. (She was born in the year 1985.)

Þetta gerðist árið 2020. (This happened in the year 2020.)

Asking about someone's birth year

A very common way to ask about someone's age in Iceland is to ask about their birth year, rather than their age directly.

Hvenær ertu fædd/fæddur? (When were you born?) - fæddur is for a male speaker. fædd is for a female speaker.

You would respond by saying the year, often in a shortened form:

Ég er fædd/fæddur 1993. (I was born in 1993.)

In Icelandic culture, people are quite open about their age, and the birth year is a common way to express it.

Hvenær komst þú til Íslands? (When did you come to Iceland?)

is a common question in Icelandic that means, When did you come to Iceland?

How to Answer

When someone asks you this question, you can respond in a few different ways, depending on how specific you want to be.

Ég kom til Íslands árið 2022. (I came to Iceland in the year 2022.)

Ég kom til Íslands í janúar. (I came to Iceland in January.)

Ég kom til Íslands í síðasta mánuði. (I came to Iceland last month.)

Ég kom til Íslands 15. júní. (I came to Iceland on June 15th.)

Ég kom hingað fyrir tveimur árum. (I came here two years ago.)

Ég kom hingað fyrir viku síðan. (I came here a week ago.)

Ég kom hingað fyrir stuttu. (I came here a short time ago.)

This question is often one of the first you will be asked in Iceland, as people are often curious about newcomers and their stories. Knowing how to answer it is a great way to start a conversation and share a bit about your experience.

How much does this cost?

"Hvað kostar þetta?" is the standard way to ask, "How much does this cost?" in Icelandic. It's a fundamental phrase for shopping, dining, or any situation where you need to inquire about a price.

Asking about a specific item:

Hvað kostar kaffið? (How much does the coffee cost?)

Hvað kostar þessi peysa? (How much does this sweater cost?)

Hvað kostar þessi bók? (How much does this book cost?)

Hvað kostar þetta allt saman? (How much does all this cost together?)

Possible Responses

When you ask this question, the person will likely respond by stating the price in Icelandic króna (krónur).

Þetta kostar fimm hundruð krónur. (This costs 500 krónur.)

Það er fimm hundruð. (It is 500.)

Fimmtán hundruð. (1500.)

Eitt þúsund og fimm hundruð krónur. (One thousand and five hundred krónur.) - Often simplified to: Fimmtán hundruð. (Fifteen hundred.)

Tíu þúsund krónur. (Ten thousand krónur.) - often simplified to: Tíu þúsund. (Ten thousand.)

Fjörutíu og fimm þúsund krónur. (Forty-five thousand krónur.)

Þúsund krónur. (One thousand krónur.) - Often simplified to: Þúsund. (One thousand.)

Other Useful Phrases

Hvað kostar kílóið? (How much does the kilo cost?) - Useful at a market or butcher.

Hvað er verðið á þessu? (What is the price of this?) - A more direct way to ask about the price.

Er þetta á útsölu? (Is this on sale?)

Ég vil borga. (I want to pay.)

Hvar er kassinn? (Where is the checkout?)

"Hvenær átt þú afmæli?" is a common and polite way to ask someone, "When is your birthday?"

How to Answer

When someone asks you this question, you can respond in a few ways. The most common is to state the date directly.

Ég á afmæli 15. júní. (My birthday is on June 15th.)

Ég á afmæli á miðvikudaginn. (My birthday is on Wednesday.)

Ég á afmæli í næsta mánuði. (My birthday is next month.)

Til hamingju með afmælið! (Happy birthday!)

The word raðtölur in Icelandic means "ordinal numbers." Unlike cardinal numbers (one, two, three...), which are used for counting, ordinal numbers (first, second, third...) are used for ordering or ranking things.

The grammar for ordinal numbers in Icelandic is more complex than in English, as they must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they are modifying.

Basic Ordinal Numbers (Singular)

Here are some of the most common ordinal numbers in their nominative (basic) form:

• 1st: fyrsti - fyrsta - fyrsta
• 2nd: annar - önnur - annað
• 3rd: þriðji - þriðja - þriðja
• 4th: fjórði - fjórða - fjórða
• 5th: fimmti - fimmta - fimmta
• 6th: sjötti - sjötta - sjötta
• 7th: sjöundi - sjöunda - sjöunda
• 8th: áttundi - áttunda - áttunda
• 9th: níundi - níunda - níunda
• 10th: tíundi - tíunda - tíunda

You'll notice a pattern: many of the ordinals (from 5th onwards) end in -ti, -ta, or -ta, which correspond to the gender. However, the first few are irregular and must be memorized.

Examples in Sentences

Here's how you would use these in context:

Þetta er fyrsta bókin. (This is the first book. )

Þetta er annar bíllinn. (This is the second car.)

Þetta er þriðja húsið. (This is the third house.)

Hvar er sjötta bókin? (Where is the sixth book?)

Using Ordinal Numbers for Dates

Ordinal numbers are crucial when talking about dates. When you say, "on the 15th of June," you use the ordinal form of the number:

Ég kem 15. (fimmtánda) júní. (I am coming on the 15th of June.)

Þann 7. sjöunda júlí. (On the seventh of July.)

Þetta er 1. (fyrsta) maí. (This is the 1st of May.)

Ég á afmæli 8. (áttunda) maí, en þú? (My birthday is May 8th, and you?)

Ég á afmæli 14. (fjórtánda) nóvember. (My birthday is November 14th.)

Other ordinal numbers:

11th ellefti

12th tólfti

13th þrettándi

14th fjórtándi

15th fimmtándi

16th sextándi

17th sautjándi

18th átjándi

19th nítjándi

20.tuttugasti

21th tuttugasti og fyrsti

22th tuttugasti og annar

23th tuttugasti og þriðji

24th tuttugasti og fjórði

25th tuttugasti og fimmti

26th tuttugasti og sjötti

27th tuttugasti og sjöundi

28th tuttugasti og áttundi

29th tuttugasti og níundi

30th þrítugasti

31th þrítugasti og fyrsti

In Icelandic, mánuðirnir means "the months." The singular form is mánuður (a month). Talking about the months is a key part of everyday conversation.

The Names of the Months

Here are the names of the twelve months in Icelandic:

• janúar (January)
• febrúar (February)
• mars (March)
• apríl (April)
• maí (May)
• júní (June)
• júlí (July)
• ágúst (August)
• september (September)
• október (October)
• nóvember (November)
• desember (December)

As you can see, most of the months are very similar to their English counterparts due to their shared Latin origins.

Using Months in Sentences

Use the preposition í followed by the dative case of the month's name.

• í janúar (in January)
• í febrúar (in February)
• í mars (in March)
• í apríl (in April)
• í maí (in May)
• í júní
• í júlí
• í ágúst
• í september
• í október
• í nóvember
• í desember

Here are some example sentences:

Ég fer til Íslands í júlí. (I am going to Iceland in July.)

Hún á afmæli í desember. (Her birthday is in December.)

Asking "In which month...?"

To ask a question like "In which month...?", you would say:

Í hvaða mánuði...? (In what month...?)

For example:

Í hvaða mánuði fæddist þú? (In what month were you born?)

Ég fæddist í ágúst. (I was born in August.)

Four seasons in Icelandic

• Vetur (Winter): November to late March
• Vor (Spring): April and May
• Sumar (Summer): June, July, and August
• Haust (Autumn/Fall): September and October

Each of these words is a noun and has its own gender, which affects how it's used in sentences.

Vetur is a feminine noun.

• Á veturna: "in the winters" or "during the winter."
• Í vetur: "this winter."
• Næsta vetur: "next winter."

Vor is a neuter noun.

• Á vorin: "in the spring" or "during the spring."
• Í vor: "this spring."
• Næsta vor: "next spring."

Sumar is a neuter noun.

• Á sumrin: "in the summers" or "during the summer."
• Í sumar: "this summer."
• Næsta sumar: "next summer."

Haust is a neuter noun.

• Á haustin: "in the autumns" or "during the autumn."
• Í haust: "this autumn."
• Næsta haust: "next autumn."

Examples in Sentences

Veturinn á Íslandi getur verið langur. (The winter in Iceland can be long.)

Ég hlakka til vorsins. (I am looking forward to the spring.)

Við förum í frí í sumar. (We are going on holiday this summer.)

Haustið er fallegasti tíminn ársins. (Autumn is the most beautiful time of the year.)

Related Phrases

Hvaða árstími er í uppáhaldi hjá þér? (Which season is your favorite?)

Veðrið á Íslandi er breytilegt. (The weather in Iceland is changeable.)

Það er kalt í vetur. (It's cold this winter.)

Það er hlýtt í sumar. (It's warm this summer.)

Knowing the seasons is a key part of talking about Icelandic life, especially given the country's dramatic seasonal changes.

In Icelandic, dagarnir í vikunni means "the days of the week." Knowing the days is essential for scheduling, making plans, and general conversation.

• Mánudagur (Monday)
• Þriðjudagur (Tuesday)
• Miðvikudagur (Wednesday)
• Fimmtudagur (Thursday)
• Föstudagur (Friday)
• Laugardagur (Saturday)
• Sunnudagur (Sunday)

As you can see, the names of the days are quite descriptive. They all end with -dagur which means "day."

• Mánudagur (Moon Day)
• Þriðjudagur (Third Day, referring to the Norse god Týr)
• Miðvikudagur (Mid-week Day)
• Fimmtudagur (Fifth Day, referring to the god Thor)
• Föstudagur (Friday, referring to the goddess Frigg or Freyja)
• Laugardagur (Washing Day)
• Sunnudagur (Sun Day)

Using the Days of the Week in Sentences

When you want to say on [day of the week], you use the preposition á followed by the accusative case of the day's name.

Á mánudaginn

This phrase refers to a specific Monday in the future. It's used when you are talking about a single, upcoming event.

Ég fer í skólann á mánudaginn. (I'm going to school on Monday.) - This means the upcoming Monday.

Fundurinn er á mánudaginn klukkan tíu. (The meeting is on Monday at ten o'clock.) - A single, specific meeting.

Á mánudögum

This phrase refers to a recurring event or a habit that happens on every Monday. It indicates a general truth or a routine.

Ég fer alltaf í ræktina á mánudögum. (I always go to the gym on Mondays.) - This is a regular habit.

Skólinn byrjar klukkan níu á mánudögum. (School starts at nine o'clock on Mondays.) - This is a weekly routine.

Asking "What day is it?"

Hvaða dagur er í dag? (What day is it today?)

Possible responses:

Það er mánudagur. (It is Monday.)

Í dag er föstudagur. (Today is Friday.)

Most important holidays in Iceland.

Jólin (Christmas)

Gleðileg jól! is the standard way to say "Merry Christmas!" You would say this to everyone you know during the holiday season.

Páskarnir (Easter)

Páskarnir is the Icelandic word for "Easter" and is also a plural noun.

í mars eða apríl means "in March or April."

Gleðilega páska! is the phrase for "Happy Easter!"

Þjóðhátíðardagur Íslands (Icelandic National Day)

Þjóðhátíðardagur Íslands literally means "the national festival day of Iceland."

17. júní is read as sautjánda júní, which means "the seventeenth of June." This is a very important day in Iceland, celebrated with parades, concerts, and public gatherings. It commemorates the founding of the Republic of Iceland in 1944.

Other Big Days in Iceland

Nýársdagur (New Year's Day): The first day of the new year. The greeting is Gleðilegt nýtt ár! (Happy New Year!).

Bolludagur (Bun Day): Also in February, on a Monday. People eat cream-filled buns (bollur).

Páskadagur (Easter Sunday): This is a major religious holiday and a day for family gatherings.

Sumardagurinn fyrsti (First Day of Summer): The first Thursday after April 18th. This is an official public holiday celebrating the arrival of summer, even if it's still cold. The greeting is Gleðilegan sumardaginn fyrsta! (Happy first day of summer!).

Verkalýðsdagurinn (Labour Day): May 1st. This is a public holiday celebrating workers' rights.

Sjálfstæðisdagur (Independence Day): Celebrated on December 1st, commemorating Iceland gaining sovereignty from Denmark in 1918.

Hvað er klukkan? (What time is it?)

Giving the Time

When someone asks you this question, you can respond in a few different ways. Here are some examples, from simple to more detailed.

On the hour:

Klukkan er fimm. (kl. 5)

Klukkan er ellefu. (kl. 11)

Half-past the hour:

This is slightly different from English. You say "half to the next hour."

Klukkan er hálf fimm. (kl. 4:30)

Klukkan er hálf ellefu. (kl. 10:30)

Quarter past/to the hour:

Klukkan er korter yfir fimm. (kl. 5:15)

Klukkan er korter í sex. (kl. 5:45)

Minutes past/to the hour:

Klukkan er tíu mínútur yfir fjögur. (kl. 4:10)

Klukkan er tuttugu mínútur í níu. (kl. 8:40)

Informal and simple responses:

In everyday conversation, it's very common to drop "Klukkan er" and just state the time directly.

Tíu yfir sjö. (kl. 7;10)

Korter í tvö. (kl. 1:45)

Hálf eitt. (kl. 12:30)

Other Useful Time-Related Phrases

Hvenær er fundurinn? (When is the meeting?)

Á morgun klukkan átta. (Tomorrow at eight o'clock.)

Hvað er mikið eftir af tímanum? (How much time is left?)

Klukkan er tíu mínútur í tvö. (It's 1:50)

Hún er tvö. (kl. 2)

The Four Parts of the Day

• á morgnana: "in the mornings"
• á daginn: "during the day"
• á kvöldin: "in the evenings"
• á nóttunni: "at night"

Let's look at some examples to show the difference in usage.

For a recurring event (routine)

Ég fer í sund á morgnana. (I go swimming in the mornings.) - This is a daily habit.

Við förum út að borða á kvöldin. (We go out to eat in the evenings.) - This is something we do regularly.

Það er oft kalt á nóttum. (It is often cold at night.) - This describes a general condition.

For a specific event

Ég fer í skólann á morgun. (I am going to school tomorrow morning.) - Note that the phrase changes when referring to a specific day.

Hann er að vinna á daginn. (He is working during the day.) - This describes what he is doing today.

Við hittumst á föstudagskvöldið. (We are meeting on Friday evening.) - The use of the definite article changes the meaning to a specific evening.

Hún var að lesa á nóttunni. (She was reading at night.) - This describes what she was doing last night.

• í gær (Yesterday)
• í dag (Today)
• á morgun (Tomorrow)

These are some of the most common time expressions, but Icelandic has many others that are useful for talking about the past, present, and future.

Expressions for the Past

• fyrradag (the day before yesterday)
• í fyrra (last year)
• fyrir tveimur árum síðan (two years ago)

Expressions for the Present

• núna (now)
• um þessar mundir (currently, around this time)
• í kvöld (tonight)

Expressions for the Future

• á morgun (tomorrow)
• eftir tvær vikur (in two weeks)
• næstkomandi þriðjudag (next Tuesday)
• í framtíðinni (in the future)
• bráðum (soon)

What were you doing yesterday?

Hvað varst þú að gera í gær? (What were you doing yesterday?)

Common ways to respond: You can start your answer with "Í gær var ég að..." (Yesterday I was...) or simply start with what you were doing.

Í gær var ég að læra. (Yesterday I was studying.)

Ég var að vinna. (I was working.)

Ég var heima. (I was at home.)

Ég fór í bíó. (I went to the movie.)

Ég hitti vini mína. (I met my friends.)

Talking about household activities:

Ég var að þrífa húsið. (I was cleaning the house.)

Ég var að elda mat. (I was cooking food.)

Ég var að horfa á sjónvarpið. (I was watching TV.)

Ég var að hlusta á tónlist. (I was listening to music.)

Talking about outdoor and social activities:

Ég fór út að borða. (I went out to eat.)

Ég fór í sund. (I went swimming.)

Ég fór í gönguferð. (I went for a walk.)

Ég heimsótti fjölskyldu mína. (I visited my family.)

Ég fór á kaffihús. (I went to a coffee shop.)

Talking about work or school:

Ég var í skólanum. (I was at school.)

Ég kláraði verkefni. (I finished a project/assignment.)

Ég fór á fund. (I went to a meeting.)

You can add different time expressions to the end of this phrase to ask what someone was doing at a specific time.

Hvað varst þú að gera... (What were you doing...)

..um helgina? (...over the weekend?)

...í fyrradag? (...the day before yesterday?)

...í gær? (...yesterday?)

...áðan? (...a little while ago/earlier today?)

...á mánudaginn? (...on Monday?)

What are you going to do?

In Icelandic, "What are you going to do?" is Hvað ætlar þú að gera?

You can add various time expressions to this question to ask about plans for the near or distant future. This is a very common way to make plans or simply find out what someone has in mind.

Asking About Plans

Hvað ætlar þú að gera á eftir? (What are you going to do later/after this?)

Hvað ætlar þú að gera í kvöld? (What are you going to do tonight?)

Hvað ætlar þú að gera á morgun? (What are you going to do tomorrow?)

Hvað ætlar þú að gera um helgina? (What are you going to do over the weekend?)

Useful Phrases for Responding

When you answer, you'll generally use the structure Ég ætla að... (I am going to...). You can then add a verb to explain your plans.

Ég ætla að fara heim. (I'm going to go home.)

Ég ætla að elda kvöldmat. (I'm going to cook dinner.)

Ég ætla að hvíla mig. (I'm going to rest.)

Ég ætla að horfa á bíómynd. (I'm going to watch a movie.)

Ég ætla að fara í búðina. (I'm going to the store.)

Ég ætla að hitta vin. (I'm going to meet a friend.)

Ég ætla að vera heima. (I'm going to be at home.)

Ég ætla að fara út að borða. (I'm going to go out to eat.)

Ég ætla að vinna. (I'm going to work.)

Ég ætla að fara í ræktina. (I'm going to go to the gym.)

Ég ætla að fara út á land. (I'm going to go out of town/to the countryside.)

Ég ætla að heimsækja fjölskylduna mína. (I'm going to visit my family.)

Asking about someone's daily routine

Hvernig er dagurinn þinn? - What is your day like?

Hvað gerir þú daglega? - What do you do daily?

Hvað gerir þú um helgar? - What do you do on weekends?

Describing your own daily routine

Ég vakna klukkan sjö. - I wake up at 7 o'clock.

Ég fer í vinnu klukkan níu. - I go to work at 9 o'clock.

Ég borða hádegismat klukkan tólf. - I eat lunch at 12 o'clock.

Ég kem heim úr vinnu klukkan fimm. - I get home from work at 5 o'clock.

Ég borða kvöldmat klukkan sjö. - I eat dinner at 7 o'clock.

Ég fer að sofa klukkan ellefu. - I go to sleep at 11 o'clock.

small conversation

A: Hvernig er dagurinn þinn? (What is your day like?)

B: Á virkum dögum vakna ég klukkan átta, fer í vinnu og kem svo heim. Á kvöldin borða ég kvöldmat og horfi á sjónvarp. (On weekdays, I wake up at 8, go to work, and then come home. In the evenings, I eat dinner and watch TV.)

Er búinn/búin is an incredibly useful and common phrase in Icelandic that literally means "is finished" or "is done." It's an idiom used to describe the completion of an action, similar to using "to have finished" or "to be done with" in English.

The key is that the word búinn must agree in gender and number with the subject of the sentence.

Here are the different forms and examples of how to use them:

Masculine Singular: er búinn

This form is used when the subject is a masculine singular noun or pronoun (e.g., hann- "he").

Hann er búinn að borða. - He has finished eating.

Pabbi er búinn að lesa bókina. - Dad is done reading the book.

Feminine Singular: er búin

This form is used when the subject is a feminine singular noun or pronoun (e.g., hún - "she").

Hún er búin að borða. - She has finished eating.

Mamma er búin að vinna. - Mom is finished working.

Neuter Singular: er búið

This form is used for neuter singular subjects (e.g., það - "it").

Kaffið er búið. - The coffee is finished (as in, there is no more).

Það er búið. - It's done.

Plural:

When the subject is plural, the form of búinn also changes.

• Búnir is for masculine plural subjects.
• Búnar is for feminine plural subjects.
• Búin is for neuter plural or mixed-gender groups.

Þeir eru búnir að borða. - They (masculine) have finished eating.

Börnin eru búin að leika sér. - The children are finished playing.

Speaking about friends and family is a big part of social life in Iceland, and there are many useful phrases to do so. Here are some examples, broken down into categories for different situations.

Talking About Family

• Fjölskylda (family)
• Ég á góða fjölskyldu. (I have a good family.)
• Þetta er fjölskyldan mín. (This is my family.)
• Foreldrar (parents)
• Foreldrar mínir búa á Íslandi. (My parents live in Iceland.)
• Systkini (siblings)
• Ég á tvö systkini, einn bróður og eina systur. (I have two siblings, one brother and one sister.)
• Áttu bróður eða systur? (Do you have a brother or a sister?)
• Family Members
• Móðir/Mamma (mother/mom)
• Faðir/Pabbi (father/dad)
• Dóttir (daughter)
• Sonur (son)
• Bróðir (brother)
• Systir (sister)
• Frændi (uncle/male cousin)
• Frænka (aunt/female cousin)
• Barnabarn (grandchild)
• Amma (grandmother)
• Afi (grandfather)

Talking About Friends

Vinur (friend - masculine) / Vinkona (friend - feminine)

Hún er góð vinkona. (She is a good friend.)

Hann er minn besti vinur. (He is my best friend.)

Vinir (friends - plural)

Ég ætla að hitta vini mína í kvöld. (I am going to meet my friends tonight.)

Við erum góðir vinir. (We are good friends.)

Let's talk about our friend Jónas in Icelandic!

Jónas er góður vinur minn. Hann er hávaxinn og er með dökkt hár og græn augu. Hann er oftast klæddur í gallabuxur og bol. Hann er mjög fyndinn og skemmtilegur maður og er alltaf tilbúinn að hjálpa öðrum. Jónas er líka mjög góður í fótbolta og getur spilað á gítar. Hann er klár í skólanum og hefur góða rökhugsun.

English translation

Jónas is a good friend of mine. He is tall and has dark hair and green eyes. He is usually dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. He is a very funny and pleasant man and is always ready to help others. Jónas is also very good at soccer and can play the guitar. He is smart in school and has good reasoning skills.

Here are more useful phrases to describe a person's appearance in Icelandic, organized by category.

Describing General

Hún er falleg. (She is beautiful.)

Hann er myndarlegur. (He is handsome.)

Þau eru sæt. (They are cute. Sæt can be used for people, especially children, and things.)

Describing Height and Build

Hann er hár. (He is tall.)

Hún er lágvaxin. (She is short.)

Hún er meðalhá. (She is of average height.)

Hann er stór og sterkur. (He is big and strong.)

Hún er grönn. (She is thin/slender.)

Hann er of þungur. (He is overweight.)

Describing Hair

Hún er með sítt hár. (She has long hair.)

Hann er með stutt hár. (He has short hair.)

Hún er með ljóst hár. (She has light/blonde hair.)

Hann er með dökkt hár. (He has dark hair.)

Hún er með rautt hár. (She has red hair.)

Hann er með krullað hár. (He has curly hair.)

Hún er með slétt hár. (She has straight hair.)

Describing Eyes

Hann er með blá augu. (He has blue eyes.)

Hún er með brún augu. (She has brown eyes.)

Hún er með stór augu. (She has big eyes.)

Hann er með lítil augu. (He has small eyes.)

Describing Facial Features

Hún er með stórt bros. (She has a big smile.)

Hann er með skegg. (He has a beard.)

Hún er með gleraugu. (She has glasses.)

Hann er með mikið skegg. (He has a lot of facial hair.)

Remember that the adjectives often change their endings to agree with the noun they describe. For example, stór becomes stórt when it describes a neuter noun like bros (smile).

Let's talk about our dear mom in icelandic!

Mamma mín heitir Guðrún og er mjög góð manneskja. Hún er með ljóst hár og fallegt bros. Hún er yfirleitt mjög jákvæð og brosir mikið. Mamma er kennari og hefur alltaf mikinn áhuga á að læra nýja hluti. Henni finnst gaman að ganga í fjallgöngur og lesa bækur. Þetta er fjölskyldan mín og ég elska hana mikið.

English translation

My mom's name is Guðrún and she is a very good person. She has light hair and a beautiful smile. She is usually very positive and smiles a lot. Mom is a teacher and has always had a great interest in learning new things. She enjoys hiking and reading books. This is my family, and I love her very much.

You've got the basics for describing people and their family, now let's expand the vocabulary for hobbies. Here are more phrases and words you can use to talk about what people like to do in their spare time.

Áhugamál (hobby)

Hvað eru áhugamálin þín? (What are your hobbies?)

Ertu með einhver áhugamál? (Do you have any hobbies?)

Frítími (free time)

Hvað gerir þú í frítíma þínum? (What do you do in your free time?)

Ég eyði miklum tíma í... (I spend a lot of time on...)

Að finnast gaman að (to enjoy doing something)

Mér finnst gaman að... (I enjoy...)

Henni finnst gaman að lesa bækur. (She enjoys reading books.)

Specific Hobbies and Activities

Að lesa (to read)

Ég les mikið. (I read a lot.)

Hún les oft á kvöldin. (She often reads in the evenings.)

Að hlaupa (to run)

Hann hleypur á hverjum degi. (He runs every day.)

Að ganga (to walk/hike)

Mér finnst gaman að ganga í fjallgöngur. (I enjoy hiking.)

Ég fór í gönguferð í gær. (I went for a walk yesterday.)

Að synda (to swim)

Við syndum oft í sundlauginni. (We often swim in the swimming pool.)

Að ferðast (to travel)

Henni finnst gaman að ferðast um heiminn. (She likes to travel the world.)

Að elda (to cook)

Hann er mjög góður kokkur. (He is a very good cook.)

Mér finnst gaman að elda nýja rétti. (I like to cook new dishes.)

Að prjóna (to knit)

Hún prjónar peysur og vettlinga. (She knits sweaters and mittens.)

Að spila á hljóðfæri (to play an instrument)

Ég spila á píanó. (I play the piano.)

Að mála (to paint)

Mér finnst gaman að mála landslag. (I enjoy painting landscapes.)

Að taka ljósmyndir (to take photos)

Hún er mjög góð í að taka ljósmyndir. (She is very good at taking photos.)

Að horfa á bíómyndir (to watch movies)

Hann horfir á bíómyndir um helgar. (He watches movies on weekends.)

Að hlusta á tónlist (to listen to music)

Hún hlustar mikið á tónlist. (She listens to a lot of music.)

Að veiða (to fish)

Pabbi minn fer oft að veiða. (My dad often goes fishing.)

Talk about my hobby

Ég elska að eyða frítíma mínum í að skoða ótrúlega landslag Íslands. Áhugamálið mitt er að ganga um náttúruna, sérstaklega að ganga á jöklum og skoða fallegu fossa. Einnig nýt ég þess að slaka á í heitum potti eftir langan dag í gönguferð.

Mér finnst gaman að taka ljósmyndir af norðurljósunum á veturna og skoða einstaka dýralíf landsins. Aðrar áhugamál sem ég nýt eru að fara í sund, ríða hestum og kafa í Silfru. Ég finn mikla gleði í að tengjast náttúrunni á Íslandi og upplifa allt sem hún hefur upp á að bjóða.

English translation

I love spending my free time exploring the incredible landscape of Iceland. My hobby is hiking in nature, especially hiking on glaciers and seeing the beautiful waterfalls. I also enjoy relaxing in a hot tub after a long day of hiking.

I like taking photos of the northern lights in the winter and exploring the country's unique wildlife. Other hobbies I enjoy are swimming, horseback riding, and diving in Silfra. I find great joy in connecting with Icelandic nature and experiencing everything it has to offer.

In Iceland, where the weather can change in a heartbeat, talking about it is a fundamental part of daily conversation. Here are some examples of how people talk about the weather in Icelandic:

Basic phrases

Hvernig er veðrið í dag? - How is the weather today?

Það er gott veður. - It's good weather.

Það er vont veður. - It's bad weather.

Það er kalt. - It's cold.

Það er heitt. - It's warm.

Það er sólskin. - It's sunny.

Það rignir. - It's raining.

Það snjóar. - It's snowing.

Það er rok. - It's a storm/gale.

Það er vindur. - It's windy.

More descriptive phrases

En fallegur dagur! - What a lovely day!

En ömurlegt veður! - What awful weather!

Veðrið er mjög breytilegt. - The weather is very changeable.

Það er hvasst í dag. - It's very windy today.

Það er skýjað. - It's cloudy.

Það er gluggaveður. - This is a famous and unique Icelandic term that literally means "window weather." It describes a day that looks beautiful and sunny from the window, but is actually cold and windy if you go outside. It's a good reminder that appearances can be deceiving when it comes to Icelandic weather.

Það er slagveður. - It's "hitting weather," meaning the wind is so strong that the rain or snow feels like it's hitting you.

Það er éljagangur. - It's intermittent snowfall, a very common sight in Iceland during the winter.

Summer in Iceland is a time of both hope and unpredictability. While the days are long and bright, the weather is still the star of the show. Here's a typical conversation you might hear:

Jón: Góðan daginn! En fallegur dagur, er það ekki? (Good day! What a beautiful day, isn't it?)

Helga: Já, alveg frábært! Maður veit aldrei hvað gerist. (Yes, absolutely great! You never know what will happen.)

Jón: Haha, alveg rétt. Það er svona gluggaveður í morgun, en núna er komin sól og logn. (Haha, exactly. It was "window weather" this morning, but now the sun is out and it's calm.)

Helga: Já, en það stendur að það eigi að rigna seinna í dag. Svo er bara vonast eftir að hitastigið haldist svona. (Yes, but the forecast says it's supposed to rain later today. So you just have to hope the temperature stays like this.)

Jón: Heyrðu, hvernig var veðrið hjá ykkur í gær? Ég heyrði að það hafi verið mjög gott í Hafnarfirði. (Hey, how was the weather at your place yesterday? I heard it was very good in Hafnarfjörður.)

Helga: Já, það var fínt! En það varð allt í einu skýjað um kvöldið. Þetta er bara svona. (Yes, it was fine! But it suddenly became cloudy in the evening. That's just how it is.)

Jón: Jæja, við verðum að njóta sólarinnar á meðan hún varir. (Well, we have to enjoy the sun while it lasts.)

Helga: Alveg sammála! (Totally agree!)

One of the most authentic Icelandic experiences is soaking in a heitur pottur (hot pot) during the winter. The contrast between the cold, crisp air and the steaming geothermal water is invigorating. This is a common social setting where locals gather to unwind and, of course, discuss the weather.

(Two friends, Guðrún and Stefán, are sitting in a hot pot. Snow is lightly falling and their hair has small icicles on it.)

Guðrún: Æ, hvað þetta er gott! (Ah, this is so good!)

Stefán: Já, nákvæmlega. Og þessi kuldi úti! Það er eins og það sé að verða enn kaldara. (Yes, exactly. And this cold outside! It feels like it's getting even colder.)

Guðrún: Mikið rétt. En það er svo notalegt að sitja hérna. Þetta er besti staðurinn til að horfa á snjóinn. (Very true. But it's so cozy sitting here. This is the best place to watch the snow.)

Stefán: Já, og sjáðu hvað það er skírt þarna í vestri. Kannski sjáum við norðurljósin í kvöld. (Yeah, and look how clear it is over there in the west. Maybe we'll see the northern lights tonight.)

Guðrún: Vona það! Ég er búin að vera að fylgjast með spánni. Það stendur að það séu góðar líkur. (I hope so! I've been following the forecast. It says there's a good chance.)

Stefán: Þetta er bara svona í janúar. Maður verður að taka því sem kemur. (That's just how January is. You have to take it as it comes.)

Guðrún: Nákvæmlega. Og svo er bara best að skella sér í heita pottinn. (Exactly. And then it's just best to jump into the hot pot.)

Here are some useful Icelandic phrases and words for talking about school subjects.

General Phrases

Hvaða fög ertu í? - What subjects are you taking?

Hvað er uppáhalds fagið þitt? - What is your favorite subject?

Uppáhalds fagið mitt er Stærðfræði - My favorite subject is math

Ég er að læra íslensku - I am studying Icelandic.

Ég þarf að læra fyrir próf. - I need to study for a test.

Specific Subjects

• Stærðfræði - Mathematics
• Íslenska - Icelandic
• Enska - English
• Danska - Danish
• Eðlisfræði - Physics
• Efnafræði - Chemistry
• Líffræði - Biology
• Saga - History
• Landfræði - Geography
• Listir - Art
• Tónlist - Music
• Íþróttir - Sports/Physical Education
• Samfélagsfræði - Social Studies
• Heimspeki - Philosophy
• Sálfræði - Psychology
• Tölvunarfræði - Computer Science
• Lögfræði - Law

In Iceland, the culture between teachers and students is generally characterized by a flat hierarchy, mutual respect, and a friendly, informal atmosphere. This is a reflection of Icelandic society as a whole, which is known for being egalitarian.

Flat Hierarchy and Informality

Unlike many other cultures, Icelandic students and teachers often have a first-name basis relationship. Teachers are typically addressed by their first name, not by a formal title like "Mr." or "Mrs." This informal approach helps to break down barriers and fosters a more open and comfortable learning environment. The teacher is seen less as an authoritarian figure and more as a guide or a mentor. Teachers tend to actively encourage students to express their opinions and ask questions without fear of being judged.

Mutual Respect and Collaboration

The relationship is built on a foundation of mutual respect. Students are expected to respect their teachers, but teachers are also expected to respect their students' individuality and ideas. This collaborative spirit is a key part of the Icelandic educational system. Teachers often work with students to help them find their own paths and pursue their interests, rather than simply dictating what they should learn. This is reflected in the conversation we saw earlier, where the teacher, sensing the student's passion for history, actively encouraged them to explore it further and offered to provide additional resources.

Focus on Individuality

Icelandic education places a strong emphasis on creativity and individual expression. Teachers are encouraged to help students develop their own unique skills and talents. This is partly due to the smaller class sizes, which allow teachers to provide more personalized attention. This focus on the individual helps to build a strong bond between teachers and students, as the teacher becomes a trusted advisor who helps the student navigate their academic and personal development.

Here's a fun and relatable conversation in Icelandic between two students, Elva and Benedikt, talking about their final exams.

Elva: Hæ! Ertu að læra fyrir prófið í stærðfræði? Ég er að deyja úr stressi! (Hey! Are you studying for the math exam? I'm dying of stress!)

Benedikt: Já, ég er að reyna. Ég er búinn að vera að lesa bókina alla vikuna en ég skil ekki alveg þessa jöfnu! (Hi! Yeah, I'm trying. I've been reading the book all week, but I don't quite understand this equation!)

Elva: Ég varð að fá mömmu til að hjálpa mér. ( I had to get my mom to help me.)

Benedikt: Heppinn þú. Mamma mín er góð í sögu, ekki stærðfræði. En hvað með enskuprófið? Það er á morgun. (Lucky you. My mom is good at history, not math. But what about the English exam? It's tomorrow.)

Elva: Ég er aðallega að horfa á Netflix á ensku. Ég veit ekki hvort það teljist lærdómur eða ekki. ( I'm mostly watching Netflix in English. I don't know if that counts as studying or not.)

Benedikt: Ég myndi segja það! Heyrðu, eftir prófið á föstudaginn ætlum við að fara í pítsu. Viltu koma með? (I'd say so! Hey, after the exam on Friday, we're going for pizza. Do you want to come?)

Elva: Já, algjörlega! Þá verðum við orðin frjáls! En fyrst þarf ég að lifa af næstu tvo daga. (Yes, absolutely! Then we'll be free! But first, I have to survive the next two days.)

Here are some useful Icelandic words and phrases to talk about class, semesters, and homework.

Class and School

• Kennslustund - Class (a specific lesson or class session)
• Námskeið - Course (a specific course, like "stærðfræðinámskeið" - a math course)
• Bekkur - Class (a group of students, e.g., "Bekkurinn minn er..." - "My class is...")
• Tími - Time/Class (can also be used to refer to a specific class, e.g., "Ég á tíma í ensku." - "I have an English class.")

Semester

• Önn - Semester (the most common word)
• Skólaár - School year
• Vorönn - Spring semester
• Haustönn - Autumn semester

Homework and Assignments

Heimavinna - Homework (literally "home-work")

Verkefni - Assignment / Project

Skila verkefni - Hand in assignment

Að læra - To study

Að skrifa ritgerð - To write a paper/essay

Að vinna í verkefni - To work on an assignment

Phrases

Hvað er heimavinna í dag? - What's the homework today?

Þetta er verkefnið mitt. - This is my assignment.

Ég þarf að skila verkefni á morgun. - I have to hand in an assignment tomorrow.

Ég er að læra fyrir próf. - I'm studying for a test.

Þetta er síðasta önnin mín. - This is my last semester.