Icelandic vocabulary provides a glimpse into the Viking era. Most Scandinavian languages have changed a lot over the centuries, but Icelandic has remained remarkably close to Old Norse, the language spoken by the Vikings. That’s why Icelandic is rather difficult to learn.
Below is a list of the thousand most common Icelandic words derived from a statistical analysis of a large collection of Icelandic texts. This list provides language learners with basic Icelandic vocabulary terms.
In addition to these 1000 most common Icelandic words, some vocabulary terms related to the country’s unique geographical features are worth learning. Examples include: “jökull” (glacier), “eldfjall” (volcano), and “foss” (waterfall).
-
að
[conjunction]
(that)
The Icelandic word “að” is also used as a particle for verbs in the infinitive form (like the word “to” in English). For example “to be” in Icelandic is “að vera.”
-
í
[preposition]
(in)
-
og
[conjunction]
(and)
-
á
[preposition]
(on)
-
vera
[verb]
(to be)
-
sem
[conjunction]
(as)
-
til
[preposition]
(to)
-
um
[preposition]
(about)
-
við
[pronoun]
(we)
-
það
[pronoun]
(it)
-
ekki
[adverb]
(not)
-
en
[conjunction]
(but)
-
með
[preposition]
(with)
-
hafa
[verb]
(to have)
-
fyrir
[preposition]
(for)
-
af
[preposition]
(from)
-
ég
[pronoun]
(I)
-
hann
[pronoun]
(he)
-
því
[conjunction]
(because)
-
frá
[preposition]
(from)
-
þar
[adverb]
(there)
-
eftir
[preposition]
(after)
-
þá
[adverb]
(then)
-
þetta
[pronoun]
(this)
-
koma
[verb]
(come)
-
verða
[verb]
(become)
-
þeir
[pronoun]
(they)
-
ár
[noun]
(year)
-
fram
[adverb]
(forward)
-
þegar
[conjunction]
(when)
-
hún
[pronoun]
(she)
-
fara
[verb]
(to go)
-
svo
[adverb]
(so)
-
þessi
[pronoun]
(this)
-
eða
[conjunction]
(or)
-
upp
[adverb]
(up)
-
taka
[verb]
(take)
-
úr
[preposition]
(out of)
-
segja
[verb]
(say)
-
eins
[adverb]
(as)
-
þess
[pronoun]
(this)
-
maður
[noun]
(man)
-
gera
[verb]
(to do)
-
nú
[adverb]
(now)
-
fá
[verb]
(to get)
-
allur
[adjective]
(all)
-
vegna
[preposition]
(because of)
-
hjá
[preposition]
(at)
-
ef
[conjunction]
(if)
-
geta
[verb]
(to be able to)
-
út
[adverb]
(out)
-
sig
[pronoun]
(oneself)
-
yfir
[preposition]
(over)
-
annar
[adjective]
(other)
-
inn
[adverb]
(in)
-
hér
[adverb]
(here)
-
þeirra
[pronoun]
(their)
-
þó
[conjunction]
(though)
-
sinn
[pronoun]
(his/her/its own)
-
einnig
[adverb]
(also)
-
vel
[adverb]
(well)
-
þeim
[pronoun]
(them)
-
bara
[adverb]
(only)
-
hvað
[pronoun]
(what)
-
halda
[verb]
(to think)
-
fólk
[noun]
(people)
-
vilja
[verb]
(to want)
-
dag
[noun]
(day)
-
þú
[pronoun]
(you)
-
hægt
[adjective]
(possible)
-
mjög
[adverb]
(very)
-
allt
[adjective]
(all)
-
eiga
[verb]
(to own)
-
mun
[verb]
(will)
-
króna
[noun]
(crown)
“króna” is a widely used Icelandic word because it refers to the currency of Iceland.
-
hans
[pronoun]
(his)
-
einn
[adjective]
(one)
-
sjá
[verb]
(to see)
-
vinna
[verb]
(work)
-
undir
[preposition]
(under)
-
hvort
[conjunction]
(whether)
-
enn
[adverb]
(still)
-
mikið
[adjective]
(much)
-
finna
[verb]
(find)
-
samkvæmt
[preposition]
(according to)
-
gegn
[preposition]
(against)
-
áður
[adverb]
(before)
-
ganga
[verb]
(to walk)
-
síðan
[adverb]
(then)
-
mér
[pronoun]
(me)
-
meðal
[preposition]
(between)
-
leikur
[noun]
(game)
-
ekkert
[pronoun]
(nothing)
-
okkur
[pronoun]
(us)
-
land
[noun]
(country)
-
tími
[noun]
(time)
-
góður
[adjective]
(good)
The Icelandic adjective “góður” and the English adjective “good” look similar because they are cognates. They originate from the same Proto-Germanic word.
-
þær
[pronoun]
(they)
-
milli
[preposition]
(between)
-
hvernig
[adverb]
(how)
-
þessu
[pronoun]
(this)
-
þau
[pronoun]
(they)
-
dagur
[noun]
(day)
-
leggja
[verb]
(put)
-
þurfa
[verb]
(to need)
-
sama
[adjective]
(same)
-
meira
[adverb]
(more)
-
mynd
[noun]
(picture)
-
mikill
[adjective]
(big)
Although the Icelandic adjective “mikill” and the English word “much” do not look very similar, they are cognates that originate from the same Proto-Germanic origin.
-
saman
[adverb]
(together)
-
þannig
[adverb]
(like that)
-
gefa
[verb]
(give)
-
áfram
[adverb]
(forward)
-
vita
[verb]
(know)
-
Ísland
[noun]
(Iceland)
-
aftur
[adverb]
(back)
-
niður
[adverb]
(down)
-
heldur
[conjunction]
(rather)
-
íslenskur
[adjective]
(Icelandic)
-
stór
[adjective]
(big)
The Icelandic word “stór” is almost the same as the Swedish word “stor” because they both originate from Old Norse. For more similar words, see this comparison of Icelandic and Swedish.
-
lið
[noun]
(team)
-
mál
[noun]
(language)
-
okkar
[pronoun]
(our)
-
líka
[adverb]
(also)
-
nýr
[adjective]
(new)
-
svona
[adverb]
(like this)
-
ætla
[verb]
(intend)
-
hver
[pronoun]
(who)
-
öðrum
[pronoun]
(each other)
-
alltaf
[adverb]
(always)
-
telja
[verb]
(count)
-
enginn
[pronoun]
(no one)
-
sú
[pronoun]
(that)
-
einhver
[pronoun]
(someone)
-
leið
[noun]
(way)
-
hennar
[pronoun]
(her)
-
annað
[adjective]
(other)
-
láta
[verb]
(let)
-
sá
[pronoun]
(that)
-
gær
[adverb]
(yesterday)
-
sinni
[pronoun]
(his/her)
-
ræða
[verb]
(talk)
-
vegur
[noun]
(road)
-
bera
[verb]
(carry)
-
öllum
[pronoun]
(all)
-
grein
[noun]
(article)
-
enda
[verb]
(end)
-
setja
[verb]
(put)
-
hinn
[adjective]
(the)
-
innan
[preposition]
(within)
-
eitthvað
[pronoun]
(something)
-
mín
[pronoun]
(my)
-
án
[preposition]
(without)
-
skrifa
[verb]
(write)
-
nema
[conjunction]
(except)
-
hluti
[noun]
(part)
-
fyrirtæki
[noun]
(company)
-
mig
[pronoun]
(me)
-
alveg
[adverb]
(completely)
-
tala
[verb]
(speak)
-
aldrei
[adverb]
(never)
-
gott
[adjective]
(good)
-
ná
[verb]
(reach)
-
standa
[verb]
(stand)
-
sína
[pronoun]
(their)
-
aðeins
[adverb]
(only)
-
fleiri
[adjective]
(more)
-
starf
[noun]
(work)
-
auk
[preposition]
(in addition to)
-
stjórn
[noun]
(government)
-
fyrr
[adverb]
(earlier)
-
þátt
[noun]
(part)
-
allir
[adjective]
(all)
-
nokkur
[adjective]
(some)
-
sjálfur
[adjective]
(self)
-
margur
[adjective]
(many)
-
morgun
[noun]
(morning)
-
þúsund
[noun]
(thousand)
-
ljós
[noun]
(light)
-
sýna
[verb]
(show)
-
reyna
[verb]
(try)
-
fyrst
[adverb]
(first)
-
september
[noun]
(September)
-
búa
[verb]
(to live, to reside)
-
eitt
[numeral]
(one)
-
þessum
[pronoun]
(this)
-
hátt
[noun]
(way)
-
barn
[noun]
(child)
-
honum
[pronoun]
(him)
-
rétt
[adjective]
(right)
-
hús
[noun]
(house)
-
öll
[adjective]
(all)
-
kannski
[adverb]
(maybe)
-
líf
[noun]
(life)
-
orð
[noun]
(word)
-
rannsókn
[noun]
(research)
-
áhrif
[noun]
(influence)
-
réttur
[noun]
(right)
-
of
[preposition]
(too)
-
lán
[noun]
(loan)
-
liggja
[verb]
(lie)
-
stað
[noun]
(place)
-
bæði
[conjunction]
(both)
-
ein
[adjective]
(one)
-
spila
[verb]
(play)
-
heimur
[noun]
(world)
-
sérstaklega
[adverb]
(especially)
-
fylgja
[verb]
(to follow)
-
beint
[adverb]
(directly)
-
frekar
[adverb]
(rather)
-
félag
[noun]
(company)
-
nota
[verb]
(to use)
-
henni
[pronoun]
(her)
-
draga
[verb]
(to pull)
-
ágúst
[noun]
(August)
-
erlendur
[adjective]
(foreign)
-
ráð
[noun]
(advice)
The Icelandic word “ráð” (which means “advice” or “council”) comes from Old Norse and has preserved the original spelling. The corresponding word in Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian has the same Old Norse origin but is spelled as “råd.”
-
gæta
[verb]
(to watch)
-
staður
[noun]
(place)
-
breyta
[verb]
(to change)
-
síður
[adverb]
(however)
-
júní
[noun]
(June)
-
betur
[adverb]
(better)
-
maí
[noun]
(May)
-
heim
[noun]
(home)
-
menn
[noun]
(men)
-
tekið
[verb]
(to take)
-
kvöld
[noun]
(evening)
The Icelandic word “kvöld” (which means “evening”) resembles the Norwegian word “kveld” which has the same meaning. For more words that are similar between these two Scandinavian languages, see this comparison of Icelandic and Norwegian.
-
þarna
[adverb]
(there)
-
reyndar
[adverb]
(actually)
-
svæði
[noun]
(area)
-
skoða
[verb]
(view)
-
formaður
[noun]
(chairman)
-
stig
[noun]
(degree)
-
milljarður
[noun]
(billion)
-
frétt
[noun]
(news)
-
október
[noun]
(October)
-
samt
[adverb]
(still)
-
meiri
[adjective]
(more)
-
sögn
[noun]
(verb)
-
hópur
[noun]
(group)
-
mat
[noun]
(assessment)
-
oft
[adverb]
(often)
-
kaupa
[verb]
(buy)
-
sumar
[noun]
(summer)
-
yrði
[verb]
(would)
-
líklega
[adverb]
(probably)
-
samningur
[noun]
(agreement)
-
auðvitað
[adverb]
(of course)
-
verkefni
[noun]
(project)
-
apríl
[noun]
(April)
-
dæmi
[noun]
(example)
-
minni
[adjective]
(smaller)
-
alla
[pronoun]
(all)
-
mars
[noun]
(March)
-
mæta
[verb]
(meet)
-
byggja
[verb]
(build)
-
sæti
[noun]
(seat)
-
ríki
[noun]
(kingdom)
-
selja
[verb]
(sell)
-
senda
[verb]
(send)
-
kynna
[verb]
(introduce)
-
minn
[pronoun]
(my)
-
lengi
[adverb]
(long)
-
bæta
[verb]
(improve)
-
athugasemd
[noun]
(comment)
-
orðið
[noun]
(word)
-
lög
[noun]
(laws)
-
ásamt
[preposition]
(along with)
-
lengur
[adjective]
(longer)
-
janúar
[noun]
(January)
-
ráða
[verb]
(advise)
-
hætta
[verb]
(stop)
-
gert
[adjective]
(done)
-
flokkur
[noun]
(category)
-
horfa
[verb]
(watch)
-
lögregla
[noun]
(police)
-
ákvörðun
[noun]
(decision)
-
tíma
[noun]
(time)
-
langur
[adjective]
(long)
-
ábyrgð
[noun]
(responsibility)
-
fundur
[noun]
(meeting)
-
þjóð
[noun]
(nation)
-
tvö
[number]
(two)
-
næsta
[adjective]
(next)
-
alls
[adverb]
(all)
-
komast
[verb]
(to come)
-
leita
[verb]
(search)
-
annars
[adverb]
(otherwise)
-
gerð
[noun]
(type)
-
lítið
[adjective]
(small)
-
hlutur
[noun]
(thing)
-
bjóða
[verb]
(offer)
-
greiða
[verb]
(pay)
-
benda
[verb]
(point)
-
saga
[noun]
(story)
The Icelandic word “saga” can refer to the epic tales and historical narratives of the Norsemen who settled in Iceland. The term “saga” comes from Old Norse and has been adopted into English and several other languages. In modern Icelandic, this is a common word because it also has a broader meaning of “story” and “history.”
-
mánuður
[noun]
(month)
-
tryggja
[verb]
(ensure)
-
skipta
[verb]
(divide)
-
nefna
[verb]
(to name)
-
helgi
[noun]
(holiday)
-
nafn
[noun]
(name)
-
starfsemi
[noun]
(activity)
-
skal
[verb]
(shall)
-
ári
[noun]
(year)
-
árangur
[noun]
(success)
-
hvert
[pronoun]
(each)
-
margir
[adjective]
(many)
-
myndi
[verb]
(would)
-
lesa
[verb]
(to read)
-
mynda
[verb]
(to create)
-
forsætisráðherra
[noun]
(prime minister)
-
nóvember
[noun]
(November)
-
banki
[noun]
(bank)
-
hugmynd
[noun]
(idea)
The Icelandic word “hugmynd” (which means “idea”) has a charming origin as it is formed by combining the terms “hugur” (mind) and “mynd” (image).
-
haust
[noun]
(autumn)
-
Íslandi
[noun]
(Iceland)
-
átta
[number]
(eight)
-
borð
[noun]
(table)
-
þessari
[pronoun]
(this)
-
slíkur
[adjective]
(such)
-
hækka
[verb]
(to raise)
-
dags
[noun]
(day)
-
lok
[noun]
(end)
-
kona
[noun]
(woman)
-
samband
[noun]
(connection)
-
meðan
[conjunction]
(while)
-
framan
[adverb]
(forward)
-
árum
[noun]
(years)
-
nýta
[verb]
(use)
-
niðurstaða
[noun]
(result)
-
byrja
[verb]
(start)
-
gerast
[verb]
(happen)
-
verð
[noun]
(price)
-
komu
[noun]
(arrival)
-
ætti
[verb]
(should)
-
þér
[pronoun]
(you)
-
desember
[noun]
(December)
-
sett
[verb]
(set)
-
forseti
[noun]
(president)
-
fimm
[numeral]
(five)
-
tilkynna
[verb]
(announce)
-
hin
[adjective]
(the other)
-
betri
[adjective]
(better)
-
langt
[adverb]
(far)
-
sækja
[verb]
(fetch)
-
gegnum
[noun]
(through)
-
munur
[noun]
(difference)
-
erum
[verb]
(are)
-
athygli
[noun]
(attention)
-
síðar
[adverb]
(later)
-
ofan
[adverb]
(above)
-
nokkuð
[pronoun]
(something)
-
vika
[noun]
(week)
-
tveir
[number]
(two)
-
heimili
[noun]
(home)
-
bíll
[noun]
(car)
-
einungis
[adverb]
(only)
-
einkum
[adverb]
(especially)
-
rekstur
[noun]
(operation)
-
færa
[verb]
(move)
-
kalla
[verb]
(call)
-
þrjú
[number]
(three)
-
samþykkt
[noun]
(approval)
-
kostur
[noun]
(option)
-
sín
[pronoun]
(his/her)
-
ráðherra
[noun]
(minister)
-
forsíða
[noun]
(front page)
-
ríkisstjórn
[noun]
(government)
-
stefna
[noun]
(policy)
-
líta
[verb]
(look)
-
bréf
[noun]
(letter)
-
ástæða
[noun]
(reason)
-
sigur
[noun]
(victory)
The Icelandic word “sigur” comes from the Old Norse word “sigr” (which means “victory”). In Old Norse, the word “sigr” was common in the stories of battles, while in modern Icelandic the frequent use of the word “sigur” is largely due to the news coverage of sporting events.
-
t.d.
[abbreviation]
(for example)
-
ný
[adjective]
(new)
-
flytja
[verb]
(move)
-
febrúar
[noun]
(February)
-
tækifæri
[noun]
(opportunity)
-
skora
[verb]
(score)
-
uppi
[adverb]
(up)
-
efni
[noun]
(subject)
-
hitta
[verb]
(meet)
-
þriðja
[adjective]
(third)
-
áhuga
[noun]
(interest)
-
skóli
[noun]
(school)
-
eftirlit
[noun]
(supervision)
-
hefja
[verb]
(start)
-
já
[adverb]
(yes)
-
vekja
[verb]
(wake)
-
slá
[verb]
(hit)
-
úti
[adverb]
(outside)
-
færsla
[noun]
(transfer)
-
breyting
[noun]
(change)
-
sinnum
[noun]
(times)
-
orðinn
[adjective]
(become)
-
viðtal
[noun]
(interview)
-
börn
[noun]
(children)
-
fékk
[verb]
(received)
-
tveimur
[numeral]
(two)
-
núverandi
[adjective]
(current)
-
mætti
[verb]
(could)
-
Íslendingur
[noun]
(Icelander)
-
hversu
[adverb]
(how)
-
jafnvel
[adverb]
(even)
-
átt
[noun]
(direction)
-
kominn
[adjective]
(arrived)
-
falla
[verb]
(fall)
-
hana
[pronoun]
(her)
-
leikmaður
[noun]
(player)
-
nýtt
[adjective]
(new)
-
kosning
[noun]
(election)
-
né
[conjunction]
(nor)
-
opna
[verb]
(open)
-
aðstoð
[noun]
(assistance)
-
gögn
[noun]
(data)
-
Reykjavík
[noun]
(Reykjavik)
-
von
[noun]
(hope)
-
skrá
[verb]
(register)
-
júlí
[noun]
(July)
-
traust
[noun]
(trust)
-
þakka
[verb]
(thank)
-
gamall
[adjective]
(old)
-
þangað
[adverb]
(there)
-
minna
[verb]
(remind)
-
yfirleitt
[adverb]
(usually)
-
svara
[verb]
(answer)
-
illa
[adverb]
(badly)
-
sammála
[verb]
(agree)
-
óviðeigandi
[adjective]
(inappropriate)
-
mikil
[adjective]
(much)
-
skoðun
[noun]
(opinion)
-
síst
[adverb]
(last)
-
vetur
[noun]
(winter)
Due to its Nordic climate, Iceland has long and harsh winters. The importance of the winter season explains the frequent use of the word “vetur”.
-
velja
[verb]
(choose)
-
nýja
[adjective]
(new)
-
tilkynning
[noun]
(announcement)
-
hönd
[noun]
(hand)
-
árinu
[noun]
(year)
-
hluta
[noun]
(part)
-
sitt
[pronoun]
(his/her)
-
sjö
[number]
(seven)
-
úrslit
[noun]
(result)
-
vísa
[verb]
(show)
-
skipti
[noun]
(exchange)
-
evra
[noun]
(euro)
-
víða
[adverb]
(widely)
-
kerfi
[noun]
(system)
-
veita
[verb]
(give)
-
hæð
[noun]
(height)
-
skilja
[verb]
(understand)
-
lýsa
[verb]
(describe)
-
nótt
[noun]
(night)
Iceland, because of its location near the Arctic Circle, has large variations in daylight hours between the summer and the winter. During the summer months, the days are long, and on summer solstice, the sun sets just after midnight. In winter, however, the nights are very long. The importance of nights leads to the frequent use of the word “nótt” in the Icelandic language.
-
ykkur
[pronoun]
(you)
-
eigi
[verb]
(own)
-
afar
[adverb]
(very)
-
gildi
[noun]
(value)
-
væntanlega
[adverb]
(probably)
-
styðja
[verb]
(support)
-
leika
[verb]
(play)
-
upplýsing
[noun]
(information)
-
fullur
[adjective]
(full)
-
daginn
[noun]
(day)
-
leyfi
[noun]
(permission)
-
leit
[noun]
(search)
-
nefnd
[noun]
(committee)
-
Íslands
[noun]
(Iceland)
-
landi
[noun]
(country)
-
daga
[noun]
(days)
-
tók
[verb]
(took)
-
laga
[verb]
(fix)
-
skýrsla
[noun]
(report)
-
þótt
[conjunction]
(although)
-
banka
[verb]
(knock)
-
fjórum
[numeral]
(four)
-
þriggja
[numeral]
(three)
-
hlutverk
[noun]
(role)
-
læra
[verb]
(learn)
-
mestur
[adjective]
(most)
-
þing
[noun]
(assembly)
-
samtök
[noun]
(association)
-
framkvæmd
[noun]
(execution)
-
leiða
[verb]
(lead)
-
boða
[verb]
(announce)
-
einstaklingur
[noun]
(individual)
-
sínu
[pronoun]
(his/her)
-
þjálfari
[noun]
(trainer)
-
öllu
[pronoun]
(everything)
-
próf
[noun]
(exam)
-
þið
[pronoun]
(you)
-
spurning
[noun]
(question)
-
regla
[noun]
(rule)
-
nefnilega
[adverb]
(namely)
-
baka
[verb]
(bake)
-
samfélag
[noun]
(community)
-
kenna
[verb]
(teach)
-
fyrrverandi
[adjective]
(former)
-
heimsókn
[noun]
(visit)
-
hérna
[adverb]
(here)
-
loka
[verb]
(close)
-
umræða
[noun]
(discussion)
-
dýr
[noun]
(animal)
-
stærð
[noun]
(size)
-
borg
[noun]
(city)
-
fjórir
[number]
(four)
-
röð
[noun]
(row)
-
munu
[verb]
(will)
-
hvaða
[pronoun]
(which)
-
markmið
[noun]
(purpose, goal)
-
bíða
[verb]
(wait)
-
jafn
[adjective]
(equal)
-
lausn
[noun]
(solution)
-
rúm
[noun]
(space)
-
tilboð
[noun]
(offer)
-
meta
[verb]
(measure)
-
núna
[adverb]
(now)
-
heimild
[noun]
(source)
-
nær
[adjective]
(close)
-
vor
[noun]
(spring)
After the harsh winters and limited daylight hours, the arrival of the spring season brings a much-anticipated time of the year. This is why the Icelandic word “vor” (which means “spring”) is often used.
-
mæla
[verb]
(speak)
-
velta
[verb]
(roll)
-
milljón
[noun]
(million)
-
deild
[noun]
(department)
-
umferð
[noun]
(traffic)
-
tengsl
[noun]
(connection)
-
tenging
[noun]
(connection)
-
hagnaður
[noun]
(profit)
-
starfa
[verb]
(work)
-
viðskipti
[noun]
(business)
-
skip
[noun]
(ship)
-
skila
[verb]
(return)
-
lögð
[adjective]
(laid)
-
leyfa
[verb]
(allow)
-
lokum
[adverb]
(finally)
-
stjórnarskrá
[noun]
(constitution)
-
styrkur
[noun]
(strength)
-
einu
[adjective]
(one)
-
vinnu
[noun]
(work)
-
stjórnmál
[noun]
(politics)
-
Þór
[noun]
(Thor)
-
Gunnar
[noun]
(Gunnar)
-
ber
[verb]
(carry)
-
íslenska
[noun]
(Icelandic)
-
einfaldlega
[adverb]
(simply)
-
bók
[noun]
(book)
Iceland has a literary tradition that includes sagas such as the “Sagas of the Icelanders”. It is no surprise that the word “bók” (which translates to “book”) is a frequently used Icelandic term.
-
allar
[adjective]
(all)
-
brot
[noun]
(break)
-
muna
[verb]
(remember)
-
undan
[preposition]
(from)
-
hugsa
[verb]
(think)
-
nánast
[adverb]
(almost)
-
tónlist
[noun]
(music)
-
almennt
[adjective]
(general)
-
skemmtilegur
[adjective]
(fun)
-
tíu
[numeral]
(ten)
-
miklu
[adverb]
(much)
-
erindi
[noun]
(speech)
-
mínum
[pronoun]
(my)
-
frumvarp
[noun]
(proposal)
-
beita
[verb]
(use)
-
greina
[verb]
(to analyze)
-
stofn
[noun]
(foundation)
-
auga
[noun]
(eye)
-
yfirlýsing
[noun]
(statement)
-
borga
[verb]
(to pay)
-
Jón
[proper noun]
(a male name)
“Jón” is a popular Icelandic male name. For more of these, see this guide to Icelandic boy names.
-
breytingar
[noun]
(changes)
-
frábær
[adjective]
(great)
-
hverju
[pronoun]
(each)
-
betra
[adjective]
(better)
-
konur
[noun]
(women)
-
heima
[adverb]
(at home)
-
trúa
[verb]
(to believe)
-
aðili
[noun]
(person)
-
mitt
[pronoun]
(my)
-
miður
[adjective]
(middle)
-
sýning
[noun]
(exhibition)
-
heyra
[verb]
(to hear)
-
fulltrúi
[noun]
(representative)
-
lækka
[verb]
(to lower)
-
för
[noun]
(journey)
-
reynsla
[noun]
(experience)
-
kringum
[preposition]
(around)
-
framkvæmdastjóri
[noun]
(managing director)
-
ferð
[noun]
(journey)
-
sérstakur
[adjective]
(special)
-
dómur
[noun]
(judgment)
-
engu
[pronoun]
(nothing)
-
mark
[noun]
(mark)
-
beinn
[adjective]
(straight)
-
tímabil
[noun]
(period)
-
birta
[verb]
(display)
-
ákveða
[verb]
(decide)
-
klukkan
[noun]
(clock)
-
hélt
[verb]
(held)
-
strax
[adverb]
(immediately)
-
starfsmenn
[noun]
(employees)
-
Akureyri
[proper noun]
(Akureyri)
-
sjóður
[noun]
(fund)
-
þáttur
[noun]
(part)
-
staða
[noun]
(position)
-
næstur
[adjective]
(next)
-
fjöldi
[noun]
(number)
-
hve
[adverb]
(how)
-
allan
[adjective]
(all)
-
laun
[noun]
(salary)
-
konar
[noun]
(kind)
-
tæki
[noun]
(tool)
-
inni
[adverb]
(inside)
-
verk
[noun]
(work)
-
vonandi
[adverb]
(hopefully)
-
búinn
[adjective]
(ready)
-
stofnun
[noun]
(institution)
-
lögum
[noun]
(laws)
-
eina
[adjective]
(one)
-
eign
[noun]
(property)
-
reikna
[verb]
(calculate)
-
fjórði
[adjective]
(fourth)
-
lítill
[adjective]
(small)
-
kirkja
[noun]
(church)
-
gat
[verb]
(had)
-
tveggja
[adjective]
(two)
-
hækkun
[noun]
(increase)
-
Ólafur
[proper noun]
(Olafur)
-
þátttaka
[noun]
(participation)
-
sitja
[verb]
(sit)
-
hendi
[noun]
(hand)
-
kvenna
[noun]
(women)
-
kunna
[verb]
(know)
-
gengi
[noun]
(currency)
-
hvar
[adverb]
(where)
-
svið
[noun]
(field)
-
helst
[adverb]
(mostly)
-
vitni
[noun]
(witness)
-
minnka
[verb]
(decrease)
-
eldur
[noun]
(fire)
-
góða
[adjective]
(good)
-
notuð
[verb]
(used)
-
fallegur
[adjective]
(beautiful)
-
áhersla
[noun]
(emphasis)
-
manna
[noun]
(man)
-
njóta
[verb]
(enjoy)
-
bær
[noun]
(town)
-
sennilega
[adverb]
(probably)
-
jú
[adverb]
(yes)
-
kennari
[noun]
(teacher)
-
tjá
[verb]
(express)
-
skera
[verb]
(cut)
-
gestur
[noun]
(guest)
-
eyða
[verb]
(waste)
-
Geir
[noun]
(male name)
-
hálfur
[adjective]
(half)
-
jafna
[verb]
(equalize)
-
fólki
[noun]
(people)
-
fremst
[adverb]
(first)
-
alvarlegur
[adjective]
(serious)
-
eigandi
[noun]
(owner)
-
þykja
[verb]
(think)
-
þýða
[verb]
(translate)
-
virka
[verb]
(work)
-
íslensku
[noun]
(Icelandic)
-
opinber
[adjective]
(public)
-
blað
[noun]
(newspaper)
-
fjölskylda
[noun]
(family)
-
trú
[noun]
(faith)
-
braut
[noun]
(road)
-
samræmi
[noun]
(agreement)
-
alþjóðlegur
[adjective]
(international)
-
safna
[verb]
(collect)
-
fyrstur
[adjective]
(first)
-
alvöru
[noun]
(reality)
-
upphæð
[noun]
(amount)
-
hóf
[noun]
(court)
-
lögreglan
[noun]
(police)
-
sökum
[preposition]
(for)
-
tekin
[verb]
(taken)
-
erlendis
[adverb]
(abroad)
-
umfjöllun
[noun]
(discussion)
-
notkun
[noun]
(use)
-
íslensk
[adjective]
(Icelandic)
-
vandamál
[noun]
(problem)
-
kosti
[noun]
(cost)
-
nóg
[adjective]
(enough)
-
blaðamaður
[noun]
(journalist)
-
rök
[noun]
(reason)
-
mikilvægur
[adjective]
(important)
-
óska
[verb]
(wish)
-
spyrja
[verb]
(ask)
-
stundum
[adverb]
(sometimes)
-
lauk
[verb]
(finished)
-
skipa
[verb]
(arrange)
-
jörð
[noun]
(earth)
-
höfuð
[noun]
(head)
-
vefur
[noun]
(web)
-
neinn
[adjective]
(none)
-
hvorki
[conjunction]
(neither)
-
föt
[noun]
(clothes)
Given Iceland's cold climate, discussions about clothing —particularly about warm and weather-appropriate attire— are common. In addition, Iceland has a tradition of knitting, as can be seen with the iconic Icelandic sweater, or “lopapeysa”. For these reasons, the Icelandic word “föt” (which translates to “clothes”) is a frequently used term.
-
styrkja
[verb]
(strengthen)
-
áhugi
[noun]
(interest)
-
mínu
[pronoun]
(my)
-
víst
[adverb]
(certainly)
-
endilega
[adverb]
(definitely)
-
vinstri
[adverb]
(left)
-
bifreið
[noun]
(car)
-
húsnæði
[noun]
(accommodation)
-
þingmaður
[noun]
(politician)
-
dögum
[noun]
(days)
-
keyra
[verb]
(drive)
-
þörf
[noun]
(need)
-
þrjár
[adjective]
(three)
-
skulu
[verb]
(shall)
-
yngri
[adjective]
(younger)
-
hingað
[adverb]
(here)
-
atkvæði
[noun]
(vote)
-
móðir
[noun]
(mother)
-
umhverfi
[noun]
(environment)
-
tvær
[adjective]
(two)
-
hrun
[noun]
(fall)
-
eflaust
[adverb]
(probably)
-
reikningur
[noun]
(bill)
-
hlut
[noun]
(part)
-
tilbúinn
[adjective]
(ready)
-
ansi
[adjective]
(easy)
-
þjónusta
[noun]
(service)
-
hlusta
[verb]
(listen)
-
veður
[noun]
(weather)
In Iceland during the winter, the weather can be unpredictable and subject to sudden changes. It is no surprise, then, that the Icelandic word “veður” is a common term in daily conversations and forecasts.
-
aðgerð
[noun]
(action)
-
aðferð
[noun]
(method)
-
Davíð
[Proper noun]
(David)
-
gekk
[Verb]
(went)
-
smá
[Adjective]
(small)
-
sjúkrahús
[Noun]
(hospital)
-
kallað
[Verb]
(called)
-
samhengi
[Noun]
(context)
-
ávallt
[Adverb]
(always)
-
geyma
[Verb]
(store)
-
níu
[Numeral]
(nine)
-
síða
[Noun]
(page)
-
hverfa
[Verb]
(disappear)
-
kaup
[Noun]
(purchase)
-
báðir
[Pronoun]
(both)
-
stöð
[Noun]
(station)
-
meirihluti
[Noun]
(majority)
-
snúa
[Verb]
(turn)
-
hendur
[Noun]
(hands)
-
tvo
[Numeral]
(two)
-
fylgir
[Verb]
(follows)
-
magn
[Noun]
(amount)
-
kjósa
[Verb]
(choose)
-
miða
[Noun]
(ticket)
-
vinsæll
[Adjective]
(popular)
-
landinu
[Noun]
(country)
-
sigla
[Verb]
(sail)
-
aukinn
[adjective]
(increased)
-
sinna
[verb]
(to take care of)
-
lokið
[adjective]
(finished)
-
barna
[noun]
(children)
-
einkenni
[noun]
(characteristics)
-
manni
[noun]
(man)
-
sleppa
[verb]
(to let go)
-
viss
[adjective]
(certain)
-
einmitt
[adverb]
(exactly)
-
skella
[verb]
(to throw)
-
get
[verb]
(to be able to)
-
lýðræði
[noun]
(democracy)
-
lána
[verb]
(to borrow)
-
félagi
[noun]
(member)
-
aðallega
[adverb]
(mainly)
-
Alþingi
[noun]
(parliament)
-
færi
[noun]
(opportunity)
-
fangelsi
[noun]
(prison)
-
aðgangur
[noun]
(access)
-
kjölfar
[noun]
(aftermath)
-
þremur
[noun]
(three)
-
eyja
[noun]
(island)
-
tæplega
[adverb]
(almost)
-
vörn
[noun]
(defense)
-
seðlabanki
[noun]
(bank)
-
stund
[noun]
(hour)
-
bak
[noun]
(back)
-
gólf
[noun]
(floor)
-
fólks
[noun]
(people)
-
nám
[noun]
(education)
-
skömmu
[adverb]
(shortly)
-
orðin
[noun]
(word)
-
samþykki
[noun]
(approval)
-
lesandi
[adjective]
(reading)
-
Jóhanna
[proper noun]
(Johanna)
Jóhanna is a widely used female name in Icelandic. For more examples, see this guide to Icelandic girl names.
-
yfirvöld
[noun]
(authorities)
-
skapa
[verb]
(create)
-
ríkið
[noun]
(country)
-
sjálfstæður
[adjective]
(independent)
-
erfiður
[adjective]
(difficult)
-
undirbúningur
[noun]
(preparation)
-
fela
[verb]
(hide)
-
afmæli
[noun]
(birthday)
-
deila
[verb]
(share)
-
lista
[noun]
(list)
-
umsókn
[noun]
(application)
-
byrjun
[noun]
(beginning)
-
allra
[adjective]
(all)
-
lenda
[verb]
(land)
-
embætti
[noun]
(office)
-
baki
[noun]
(back)
-
smár
[adjective]
(small)
-
auka
[verb]
(increase)
-
bygging
[noun]
(construction)
-
klára
[verb]
(finish)
-
spá
[noun]
(prediction)
-
skylda
[noun]
(duty)
-
áratugur
[noun]
(decade)
-
ástand
[noun]
(condition)
-
fjölmiðill
[noun]
(media)
-
Sigurður
[proper noun]
(Sigurður)
-
fjalla
[verb]
(talk)
-
vangaveltur
[noun]
(contemplation)
-
tal
[noun]
(number)
-
markaður
[noun]
(market)
-
menntun
[noun]
(education)
-
sameiginlegur
[adjective]
(common)
-
vikur
[noun]
(week)
-
hvetja
[verb]
(to challenge)
-
sannarlega
[adverb]
(truly)
-
skilyrði
[noun]
(condition)
-
starfsmaður
[noun]
(employee)
-
dagana
[noun]
(days)
-
ræður
[verb]
(to speak)
-
gjarnan
[adverb]
(often)
-
gleyma
[verb]
(to forget)
-
tap
[noun]
(loss)
-
bátur
[noun]
(boat)
Because Iceland is an island in the North Atlantic, boats are widely used for fishing and transportation of merchandise. As a result, the Icelandic word “bátur” (which means “boat”) is a widely used term.
-
skemmta
[verb]
(to entertain)
-
framtíð
[noun]
(future)
-
innihalda
[verb]
(to contain)
-
laugardagur
[noun]
(Saturday)
-
hlaup
[noun]
(run)
-
höfuðborgarsvæði
[noun]
(capital region)
-
svar
[noun]
(answer)
-
vefsíða
[noun]
(website)
-
björt
[adjective]
(bright)
-
skref
[noun]
(step)
-
þín
[pronoun]
(your)
-
síns
[pronoun]
(his/her)
-
venjulegur
[adjective]
(ordinary)
-
lóð
[noun]
(land)
-
sök
[noun]
(cause)
-
hugur
[noun]
(mind)
-
líklegur
[adjective]
(likely)
-
upphaf
[noun]
(beginning)
-
gjaldþrot
[noun]
(bankruptcy)
-
tiltölulega
[adverb]
(relatively)
-
degi
[noun]
(day)
-
boð
[noun]
(invitation)
-
sumir
[adjective]
(some)
-
nákvæmlega
[adverb]
(exactly)
-
semja
[verb]
(agree)
-
fréttastofa
[noun]
(newsroom)
-
dóttir
[noun]
(daughter)
-
opin
[adjective]
(open)
-
samhliða
[preposition]
(alongside)
-
eg
[pronoun]
(I)
-
gestir
[noun]
(guests)
-
haldinn
[adjective]
(held)
-
orða
[verb]
(word)
-
nærri
[adverb]
(closer)
-
hvergi
[adverb]
(nowhere)
-
beiðni
[noun]
(request)
-
samþykkja
[verb]
(to approve)
-
slys
[noun]
(accident)
-
landa
[verb]
(to land)
-
neðan
[adverb]
(below)
-
pólitískur
[adjective]
(political)
-
mismunandi
[adjective]
(different)
-
umsjón
[noun]
(supervision)
-
öryggi
[noun]
(safety)
-
reglugerð
[noun]
(regulation)
-
málefni
[noun]
(issue)
-
bjarga
[verb]
(to save)
-
ofbeldi
[noun]
(violence)
-
tíð
[noun]
(frequency)
-
afskaplega
[adverb]
(extremely)
-
landslið
[noun]
(national team)
-
ársins
[noun]
(of the year)
-
staðar
[noun]
(place)
-
fljúga
[verb]
(to fly)
Iceland's geographical isolation leads to a reliance on air travel; this explains why the verb “fljúga” which means “to fly” is often used.
-
nánar
[adverb]
(closer)
-
íbúð
[noun]
(apartment)
-
uppskrift
[noun]
(recipe)
-
starfsfólk
[noun]
(staff)
-
borgarstjóri
[noun]
(mayor)
-
auki
[noun]
(increase)
-
varða
[verb]
(protect)
-
duglegur
[adjective]
(diligent)
Due to the strong work ethic that is highly valued in Icelandic culture, the word “duglegur” (which translates to “diligent” and “hardworking”) is a widely used term.
-
þriðjudagur
[noun]
(Tuesday)
-
skýring
[noun]
(explanation)
-
klukka
[noun]
(clock)
-
forstjóri
[noun]
(manager)
-
kreppa
[noun]
(crisis)
-
verðbólga
[noun]
(inflation)
-
sala
[noun]
(sale)
-
Danmörku
[noun]
(Denmark)
-
vara
[noun]
(product)
-
flug
[noun]
(flight)
-
aðalfundur
[noun]
(annual meeting)
-
Kópavogur
[noun]
(a town in Iceland)
-
sjálf
[adjective]
(self)
-
tvisvar
[adverb]
(twice)
-
mistök
[noun]
(mistake)
-
missa
[verb]
(lose)
-
jákvæður
[adjective]
(positive)
-
valda
[verb]
(cause)
-
viðskiptavinur
[noun]
(customer)
-
augljós
[adjective]
(obvious)
-
björn
[noun]
(bear)
-
mínúta
[noun]
(minute)
-
aðrar
[adjective]
(other)
-
útgáfa
[noun]
(edition)
-
rannsaka
[verb]
(investigate)
-
jól
[noun]
(Christmas)
-
aðstæður
[noun]
(circumstances)
-
raun
[noun]
(reality)
-
endurskoða
[verb]
(review)
-
verðmæti
[noun]
(value)
-
már
[noun]
(seagull)
-
ósáttur
[adjective]
(dissatisfied)
-
gagnrýna
[verb]
(criticize)
-
tegund
[noun]
(type)
-
vinur
[noun]
(friend)
-
einhverjum
[pronoun]
(someone)
-
algjör
[adjective]
(complete)
-
ummæli
[noun]
(recommendation)
-
síðast
[adverb]
(last)
-
stríð
[noun]
(war)
-
karlmaður
[noun]
(man)
-
nokkrir
[adjective]
(several)
-
hálfleikur
[noun]
(half-time)
-
hlaupa
[verb]
(run)
-
nei
[adverb]
(no)
-
keppa
[verb]
(compete)
-
fullorðinn
[adjective]
(adult)
-
húð
[noun]
(skin)
-
sendiherra
[noun]
(ambassador)
-
fremur
[adverb]
(rather)
-
falli
[noun]
(case)
-
dagskrá
[noun]
(schedule)
-
hjálpa
[verb]
(help)
-
glæsilegur
[adjective]
(beautiful)
-
flottur
[adjective]
(great)
-
vona
[verb]
(hope)
-
kasta
[verb]
(throw)
-
vestur
[noun]
(west)
-
Halldór
[proper noun]
(Halldor)
-
gagnrýni
[noun]
(criticism)
-
hraður
[adjective]
(fast)
-
notaður
[adjective]
(used)
-
Haarde
[proper noun]
(Haarde)
-
aldur
[noun]
(age)
-
greinilega
[adverb]
(clearly)
-
þrátt fyrir
[preposition]
(despite)
-
manneskja
[noun]
(person)
-
Guðmundur
[proper noun]
(Gudmundur)
-
takk
[noun]
(thank you)
-
gráta
[verb]
(cry)
-
tillit
[noun]
(trust)
-
átök
[noun]
(conflict)
-
þekkt
[adjective]
(known)
-
nafnið
[noun]
(name)
-
skrifstofa
[noun]
(office)
-
afleiðing
[noun]
(consequence)
-
stjórnandi
[noun]
(director)
-
neita
[verb]
(deny)
-
kæra
[verb]
(to accuse)
-
bankanna
[noun]
(banks)
-
bekk
[noun]
(bench)
-
mönnum
[noun]
(men)
-
þrír
[adjective]
(three)
-
ókeypis
[adjective]
(free)
The Icelandic word “ókeypis” means “free” as in “free of charge”. In contrast, the Icelandic word “frjáls” means “free” as in “freedom”.
-
lifa
[verb]
(live)
-
mæling
[noun]
(measurement)
-
elska
[verb]
(love)
-
sömuleiðis
[adverb]
(likewise)
-
þrjá
[adjective]
(three)
-
auglýsing
[noun]
(advertisement)
-
sjónvarp
[noun]
(television)
The Icelandic language tends to coin new words rather than incorporate foreign loanwords. The Icelandic word for “television” (which is “sjónvarp”) is formed by combining the terms “sjón” (vision) and “varp” (projection).
-
þekking
[noun]
(knowledge)
-
fær
[adjective]
(able)
-
ensku
[noun]
(English)
-
þurrka
[verb]
(dry)
-
maðurinn
[noun]
(man)
-
hvenær
[adverb]
(when)
-
starfi
[noun]
(work)
-
geri
[noun]
(gear)
-
gagn
[noun]
(benefit)
-
fyrirbæri
[noun]
(phenomenon)
-
býsna
[noun]
(surprise)
-
þola
[verb]
(endure)
-
fylgi
[noun]
(follower)
-
fundi
[noun]
(meeting)
-
ást
[noun]
(love)
-
leggur
[noun]
(leg)
-
leiðsögn
[noun]
(guidance)
-
hópurinn
[noun]
(group)
-
skyldi
[verb]
(should)
-
tóku
[verb]
(took)
-
mála
[noun]
(case)
-
stofna
[verb]
(establish)
-
hlutfall
[noun]
(proportion)
-
skaða
[verb]
(harm)
-
rafmagn
[noun]
(electricity)
In Iceland, most of the electricity comes from renewable energy sources, in particular from hydroelectric and geothermal power. The Icelandic word “rafmagn” (which translates to “electricity”) is a common term in everyday discussions about Iceland's energy policies and infrastructure.
-
frumkvæði
[noun]
(initiative)
-
árs
[noun]
(year)
-
salt
[noun]
(salt)
-
ykkar
[pronoun]
(your)
-
gaman
[noun]
(fun)
-
virkni
[noun]
(activity)
-
Örn
[noun]
(eagle)
-
klukkustund
[noun]
(hour)
-
viti
[noun]
(knowledge)
-
kanna
[verb]
(to try)
-
einar
[noun]
(one)
-
helmingur
[noun]
(half)
-
Lilja
[noun]
(lily)
-
fullyrða
[verb]
(to assert)
-
ungur
[adjective]
(young)
-
viðbrögð
[noun]
(reaction)
-
guðs
[noun]
(god's)
-
verslun
[noun]
(store)
-
veitt
[verb]
(given)
-
vega
[verb]
(to weigh)
-
græða
[verb]
(to heal)
-
fortíð
[noun]
(past)
-
svolítið
[adverb]
(a little)
-
nægilega
[adverb]
(enough)
-
vöxtur
[noun]
(growth)
-
uppgjör
[noun]
(settlement)
-
lifandi
[adjective]
(living)
-
hið
[article]
(the)
-
álit
[noun]
(opinion)
-
Björgvin
[noun]
(a name)
-
fjölga
[verb]
(increase)
-
líkur
[noun]
(chance)
-
tilfinning
[noun]
(emotion)
-
man
[noun]
(man)
-
síðastliðinn
[adjective]
(last)
-
framleiðsla
[noun]
(production)
-
mánudagur
[noun]
(Monday)
-
vonast
[verb]
(hope)
-
grípa
[verb]
(grab)
-
fjögur
[adjective]
(four)
-
þrífa
[verb]
(clean)
-
gilda
[verb]
(apply)
-
venjulega
[adverb]
(usually)
-
stjórnmálamaður
[noun]
(politician)
-
horn
[noun]
(corner)
-
númer
[noun]
(number)
-
vinkona
[noun]
(girlfriend)
-
eyra
[noun]
(ear)
-
Páll
[noun]
(male name)
-
langa
[verb]
(want)
-
krem
[noun]
(cream)
-
framkvæma
[verb]
(perform)
-
nauðsynlegur
[adjective]
(necessary)
-
nefndin
[noun]
(committee)
-
þekktur
[adjective]
(known)
-
stúlka
[noun]
(girl)
-
veröld
[noun]
(world)
-
Rússland
[noun]
(Russia)
-
sönnun
[noun]
(proof)
-
töluverður
[adjective]
(considerable)
-
handa
[preposition]
(for)
-
ánægður
[adjective]
(happy)
-
fé
[noun]
(money)
-
hlakka
[verb]
(to look forward to)
-
fall
[noun]
(case)
-
handtekinn
[adjective]
(arrested)
-
algerlega
[adverb]
(completely)
-
stækka
[verb]
(to grow)
-
virkur
[adjective]
(active)
-
öruggur
[adjective]
(safe)
-
samskipti
[noun]
(communication)
-
dálítið
[adverb]
(a little, somewhat)
-
þriðji
[adjective]
(third)
-
pistill
[noun]
(post)
-
svefnherbergi
[noun]
(bedroom)
The Icelandic word for “bedroom” (which is “svefnherbergi”) combines the words for “sleep” (svefn) and “room” (herbergi).
-
drengur
[noun]
(boy)
-
tek
[verb]
(to take)
-
tæknilegur
[adjective]
(technical)
-
aftan
[adverb]
(after)
-
hlið
[noun]
(side)
-
skilningur
[noun]
(understanding)
-
skipulag
[noun]
(organization)
-
éta
[verb]
(eat)
-
höfði
[noun]
(head)
-
skipuleggja
[verb]
(organize)
-
spennandi
[adjective]
(exciting)
-
handtaka
[noun]
(arrest)
-
sko
[interjection]
(look)
-
úrslitakeppni
[noun]
(competition)
-
kærur
[adjective]
(dear)
-
Sigurðsson
[proper noun]
(Sigurdsson)
-
framlag
[noun]
(contribution)
-
eiginlega
[adverb]
(actually)