Icelandic is a fascinating language. While many Scandinavian languages have changed a lot since the Viking age, Icelandic has remained much closer to the original Old Norse language from that era.
Because Icelandic has remained relatively unchanged, modern readers can still access the country's medieval literature and sagas.
Below, you’ll find a list of the one thousand most common Icelandic words, based on a statistical analysis of a large collection of Icelandic texts.
The purpose of this list is to provide language learners with the basic Icelandic vocabulary.
It’s worth noting that there are some additional Icelandic vocabulary words that relate to the geography of Iceland which are worth learning. Examples of these include: “jökull” (meaning “glacier”), “eldfjall” (meaning “volcano”), and “foss” (meaning “waterfall”).
-
að
[conjunction]
(that)
The frequent use of the Icelandic word “að” can be explained by its many uses: it can serve as a conjunction corresponding to the English word “that”; it is also a particle for verbs in the infinitive form (in which case it translates to the English word “to”). In addition, it can serve as a preposition meaning “to” or “towards”.
-
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)
-
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)
-
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)
-
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)
-
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”.
-
myndir
[noun]
(pictures)
-
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)
Icelandic music is a captivating blend of creativity and innovation. From the ethereal and otherworldly sounds of Sigur Rós to the eclectic and avant-garde style of Björk, Icelandic musicians have made an impact on the global music scene. It is only natural therefore that the term “tónlist” (which means “music”) is a commonly used word in the Icelandic language.
-
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)
-
myndin
[noun]
(the movie)
-
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)
-
þekking
[noun]
(knowledge)
-
fær
[adjective]
(able)
-
ensku
[noun]
(English)
-
þurrka
[verb]
(dry)
-
beri
[noun]
(berry)
-
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)
-
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)