Planning a trip to Iceland and need to learn a few basic Icelandic phrases? This guide will teach you exactly what to say in everyday situations so you can feel more confident and connected during your visit.
You do not need to be a language expert to pick up a few useful expressions. In fact, these Icelandic phrases are perfect for beginners who just want to get through daily life with ease.
What Are the Most Useful Icelandic Phrases For Beginners?
Before we dive into the Icelandic phrases you can use on your trip, here are a few fun facts about the Icelandic language that might surprise you:
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- Icelandic is a Germanic language, similar to Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish.
- It has changed very little since the Viking Age, so it still looks a lot like Old Norse.
- It is spoken only by around 370,000 people, mostly in Iceland.
- The Icelandic alphabet uses some unique letters like ð and þ.
Now let’s look at some essential Icelandic phrases for beginners that will help you get around with ease.
Greetings In Icelandic
Knowing how to greet people will be useful in any situation during your stay in Iceland. When you’re in more formal situations, use the following phrases:
| English | Icelandic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Good morning | Góðan daginn | |
| Good evening | Gott kvöld | |
| Good night | Góða nótt |
Useful tip: Good morning in Icelandic is either Góðan dag or Góðan daginn, which literally means ”good day”. There is no separate word for ”good afternoon” because Icelanders just continue using the same phrase well into the afternoon.
In a more casual setting, you’ll hear these greetings in everyday conversations:
| English | Icelandic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Halló | |
| Hi | Hæ | |
| Hey | Hey | |
| Hello (to a man) | Sæll | |
| Hello (to a woman) | Sæl |
Here are a few easy Icelandic phrases for when you have to say goodbye:
| English | Icelandic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Goodbye | Bless | |
| See you later | Sjáumst síðar | |
| Have a nice day | Njóttu dagsins | |
| Take care | Farðu vel með þig |
Must-Know Icelandic Words And Phrases
Before you dive into longer phrases, it’s helpful to know a few expressions and short questions that can come up anywhere. These basic Icelandic words will help you get through most daily situations with confidence.
| English | Icelandic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Please | Vinsamlegast | |
| Thank you | Takk | |
| Yes | Já | |
| No | Nei | |
| Sorry / Excuse me | Fyrirgefðu / Afsakaðu | |
| Where is the bathroom? | Hvar er klósettið? | |
| Do you speak English? | Talarðu ensku? | |
| I don’t understand | Ég skil ekki | |
| I’m lost | Ég er týnd (f) / týndur (m) | / |
| I don’t speak Icelandic | Ég tala ekki íslensku |
At A Restaurant Or A Café
When in Iceland, you’ll most likely visit some local cafés and restaurants. Knowing just a few words can help a lot with ordering and talking to the staff.
| English | Icelandic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Can I see the menu? | Má ég sjá matseðilinn? | |
| Water, please | Vatn, takk | |
| Coffee, please | Kaffi, takk | |
| I’ll have this | Ég fæ mér þetta | |
| Cheers! | Skál! |
Shopping In Iceland
Here are some basic phrases for when you’re buying souvenirs:
| English | Icelandic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | Hvað kostar þetta? | |
| I’ll take it | Ég tek þetta | |
| I’m just looking | Ég er bara að skoða | |
| Do you take cards? | Tekurðu við kortum? |
Asking For Directions
Getting around is much easier when you know how to ask for help. These simple Icelandic phrases will help you find bus stops and more without getting lost:
| English | Icelandic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the bus stop? | Hvar er strætóstoppistöðin? | |
| Where is the toilet? | Hvar er klósettið? | |
| Is it far? | Er það langt? | |
| Turn left / right | Beygðu til vinstri / hægri |
How Do You Say “I Love Iceland” In Icelandic?
To tell locals you love their country, use this phrase: Ég elska Ísland.
Here’s a breakdown of the phrase:
- I = Ég
- Love = elska
- Iceland = Ísland
Useful Vocabulary For Your Upcoming Trip
These single words will help you read signs, follow directions, and feel more comfortable in daily situations around Iceland.
| English | Icelandic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet | Klósett | |
| Water | Vatn | |
| Bus | Strætó | |
| Hotel | Hótel | |
| Exit | Útgangur | |
| Entrance | Inngangur | |
| Open | Opið | |
| Closed | Lokað |
Tips For Visiting Iceland
Want to go beyond just getting by and actually connect with people in Iceland? These simple tips will help you use Icelandic phrases like a native speaker and show respect for the culture.
- In Icelandic, some greetings change based on gender. Say sæll to a man and sæl to a woman. Locals will love that you know the difference.
- Bless is the most common way to say goodbye in Icelandic. You might also hear people say bless bless which just means ”bye bye” in a friendly way.
- Icelandic doesn’t have a word for ”please”, but takk (thank you) is used all the time. You’ll hear kærar þakkir (thanks a lot) and even takk fyrir síðast (thanks for last time) after meeting someone again.
- Aggressive body language or hand signs (like the middle finger) are seen as very rude in Icelandic culture. A smile gets you further.
- Icelanders don’t use family names. Even public figures like the Prime Minister are called by their first name. No titles needed!
- Tipping isn’t expected. If you’re super happy with the service, leave a little extra, but no one will think you’re rude if you don’t.
- Tap water in Iceland is clean, cold, and comes straight from the mountains. Locals rarely use bottled water, and neither should you.
FAQs About Icelandic Phrases
What Script Does Icelandic Use?
The Icelandic alphabet uses the latin script, with 32 letters. It includes unique characters like ð and þ, but it remains a phonetic language, meaning words are pronounced the way they are written. The letters C, Q, and W are only used in foreign words or names.
What Does "Takk Fyrir" Mean?
Takk means ''thank you'', and when you add fyrir at the end, it becomes “thank you very much” or ''thanks for that''. It's a more polite way to say thanks and show gratitude.
Is There No Word For Please In Icelandic?
Icelandic doesn't have a word that directly translates to ''please''. Instead, people use polite tone and words like takk (thank you) to sound respectful. You can also ask for things nicely by using certain phrases like Ég vil… (I want) or Er hægt að… (Is it possible to).
Why Learn Basic Icelandic Phrases Before You Go
You don’t need to speak perfect Icelandic to make a good impression. Just a few phrases can go a long way when you’re trying to connect with the locals. It shows that you respect their culture and want to engage with the people, not just Iceland’s stunning natural wonders.
Since it’s the only official language with so few speakers, even the simplest words can make your trip a whole lot better!
Take Your Language Skills With You
Want to learn Icelandic on the go? Use Ling, the app that teaches over 70 languages and has just recently added Icelandic! With Ling, picking up basic phrases in Icelandic or any other language becomes part of the adventure, as you can do daily bite-sized lessons right on your phone!
Ling will also help you with learning pronunciation, practicing speaking with a chatbot, and tracking your progress. From useful travel expressions to real-life conversations, Ling helps you build language skills that you can use anywhere.
Language can be your best travel tool. Use the Ling app to learn on the go, connect with the culture, and make every journey unforgettable.
