Icelandic (íslenska) is the national language of Iceland. It is a North Germanic language, related to Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian, but unlike them retains the full set of conjugations and declensions that Old Norse had. That and its lack of Latinate words make it a difficult language for English speakers. On the other hand, speakers of German will find many elements of Icelandic grammar familiar, as both languages retain various conjugations and declensions from Proto-Germanic, which have been lost in other Germanic languages. As Icelandic is a Germanic language, speakers of other Germanic languages such as German, English or Dutch would be able to recognise some cognates.

Icelandic nouns are declined in four cases, two numbers, and the presence of the definite article. Verbs have person and number, which is used with pronouns.

Most Icelanders are able to speak English as well, so learning Icelandic is generally not necessary to communicate. Nevertheless, attempts to speak Icelandic are very much appreciated by the locals.

Pronunciation guide

Although Icelandic looks very formidable with its strange characters "þ" and "ð" and many accented vowels, once the basic rules have been learned, pronunciation is fairly straightforward. Note that stress always falls on the first syllable of any word.

Vowels

Some vowels in Icelandic can have accent marks which modify the sound of each vowel. Vowels can come in long or short forms. In Icelandic, all vowels can be long or short. Vowels are long when they are in single syllable words, or when they form the penultimate syllable in two syllable words.

A a

(Short) like "a" in "land", (long) like "a" in "car"; or like "ow" in "now" when followed by "ng" or "nk".

Á á

Like "ow" in "now".

E e

(Short) like "e" in "met", (long) like "ea" in "bear".

É é

Like "ye" in "yes".

I i

(Short) like "i" in "bit", (long) same "i" but lengthened; or like "ee" in "meet" when followed by "ng" or "nk".

Í í

Like "ee" in "meet".

O o

(Short) like "o" in "hot", (long) like "or" in "door".

Ó ó

Like "o" in "snow".

U u

(Short) like "u" in "put", (long) the same short "u" but lengthened; or like "oo" in "moon" when followed by "ng" or "nk".

Ú ú

Like "oo" in "moon".

Y y

Same as Icelandic "i": (short) like "i" in "bit", (long) same "i" but lengthened; or like "ee" in "meet" when followed by "ng" or "nk".

Ý ý

Same as Icelandic "í": like "ee" in "meet".

Æ æ

Like "i" in "mile".

Ö ö

(Short) like "ur" in "fur" but shorter, (long) like "ur" in "fur"; (do not pronounce the "r").

Consonants

B b

Always like "p" in "speak".

D d

Always like "t" in "sting".

Ð ð

Like "th" in "that", (only occurs in word middle and word end).

F f

Like "f" in "fish", or like "v" in "van" when between vowels; or when before "l" or "n", like "p" in "speak".

G g

Like "k" in "skill", but similar to Hungarian "ty" when before e, i, æ, j, or y; it is lost after "á", "ó", "u" when followed by "a" or "u" in the next syllable or when at word end.

H h

Like "h" in "hat", or like "k" when before a consonant; (never silent like "honour").

J j

Like "y" in "yes".

K k

Like "k" in "kill" when word-initial, but similar to Hungarian "ty" with a puff of air when before e, i, æ, j, or y as word-initial; otherwise like the usual case for "g".

L l

Like "l" in "like".

M m

Like "m" in "me".

N n

Like "n" in "nurse".

P p

Like "p" in "push" when word-initial, or like "f" in "far" when before "s", "k", or "t"; otherwise pronounced like "b"

R r

Rolled, like Spanish and Italian "r".

S s

Like "s" in "sun"; (never like "z" in "zero").

T t

Like "t" in "take".

V v

Like "v" in "value".

X x

Like "x" in "axe".

Þ þ

Like "th" in "thing" (never occurs at the end of a word).

Common diphthongs and letter combinations

au

Like "ur" in "fur" (do not pronounce the r) followed by "ee" in "see" but with no intervening "r" - "u(r)-ee", similar to "oy" in "boy".

ei, ey

Like "ay" in "say".

gi, gj

Like "gy" in "drag-you" at word start; like "y" in "yes" in word middle or at word end.

hv

Like "kv" in "lock vent".

kk

Like "chk" in Scottish "Loch Carron".

ll

Like "tl" in "settle". Similar to Welsh "ll" (double L) but more aspirated (has more air to it).

ng

Like "nk" in "thinker", not "ng" in "finger".

nn

Like "dn" in "hard-nosed" when after "á", "é", "í", "ó", "ú", "ý", "æ", "au", "ei", or "ey"; or like "nn" in "tunnel" after "a", "e", "i", "o", "u", "y" or "ö".

pp

Like "h" and "p" fused together, similar to "hop" without the "o".

rl

Like "dl" in "riddle" similar in form to Welsh "ll" (double L) but said harder.

rn

Like "dn" in "hard-nosed".

tt

Like "h" and "t" fused together, similar to "hut" without the "u".

Phrase list

Basics

Note: you should take time to learn the alphabet rather than rely on the pronunciation guides within the brackets. Also note, the hyphens (-) serve only as a means to help you break down pronunciations, they do not represent where a pause should be, and the pronunciation should be read without pausing on the hyphens.

Common signs OPEN Opið CLOSED Lokað ENTRANCE Inn, Inngangur EXIT Út, Útgangur NO ENTRY Aðgangur bannaður PUSH Ýta, Ýtið PULL Toga, Togið TOILET Baðherbergi, Klósett, WC GENTLEMEN Menn, Herrar LADIES Konur MEN Menn, Karlar, or Karlmenn WOMEN Konur FORBIDDEN Bannaður WARNING Varúð

Hello.

Halló. (Hal-law)

Hello (informal).

Sæll, (to a man). (Sight-l.)

Sæl, (to a woman). (Sigh-l.)

Hi.

Hæ. (High.) Like the English word.

Common amongst younger generations.

How are you?

Hvað segirðu gott? (Kvadh sek-ir-dhu goht?)

Fine, thank you.

Ég segi allt gott, þakka þér fyrir. (Yeh sek-i atlt goht, thah-ka thyer fi-rir.)

What is your name?

Hvað heitirðu? (Kvadh hay-tir-dhu?)

My name is ______ .

Ég heiti ______ . (Yeh hay-ti _____ .)

Nice to meet you.

Komdu sæll, (to a man). (Komdu sight-l.)

Komdu sæl, (to a woman). (Komdu sighl.)

Please.

Gjörðu svo vel, (to one person). (Gyer-dhu svo vel.)

Or; Gerið þið svo vel, (to many people). (Ger-adh thi-dh svo vel.)

Thank you.

Þakka þér fyrir. (Thah-ka thyer fi-rir.)

Thanks, (informal)

Takk. (Tahk.)

You're welcome.

Ekkert að þakka. (Eh-kehrt adh thah-ka.)

Yes.

Já. (Yaw.)

Or; Jú (Yoo; for answering a negative question).

No.

Nei. (Nay.)

Excuse me, (getting attention).

Afsakið. (Av-sak-idh.)

Excuse me, (begging pardon).

Fyrirgefðu. (Fi-rir-gyev-dhu.)

I'm sorry, (didn't hear).

Ha? (Ha; note that it is said with a falling intonation, as if there were an exclamation mark)

Or; Hvað segir þú? (Kvadh say-ir thoo?)

I'm sorry, (regretful).

Því miður. (Thvee mi-dhur.)

Goodbye, (informal).

Bless. (Bless; often said twice, "Bless bless".)

I can't speak Icelandic [well].

Ég tala ekki íslensku [svo vel]. (Yeh ta-la eh-ki ees-len-sku [svo vel].)

Do you speak English?

Talarðu ensku? (Ta-lar-dhu en-sku?)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

Er einhver hér sem talar ensku? (Er ayn-kver hyer sem ta-lar en-sku?)

Help!

Hjálp! (Hyawlp!)

Look out!

Varúð! (!)

Good morning.

Góðan daginn. (Goh-dhan digh-in.)

Good evening.

Gott kvöld. (Got kvur-lt.)

Good night.

Góða nótt. (Goh-dha no-ht.)

Good night, (to sleep).

Sofðu vel. (So-vdhu vel.)

I don't understand.

Ég skil ekki. (Yeh skil eh-ki.)

Could you speak more slowly?

Gætirðu talað hægar? (Gigh-tir-dhu ta-ladh high-ar?)

How do you say _____ in Icelandic?

Hvernig segir maður _____ á íslensku? (Kver-nik say-ir ma-dhur _____ aw ees-len-sku?)

OK.

Allt í lagi. (Alt ee ligh-i.)

Or; Ókei (Oh-kay; this is used amongst younger generations.)

Where is the toilet?

Hvar er klósettið? (Kvar er klow-sett-idh?)

Problems

Leave me alone.

Farðu í burtu. Or just "farðu" (Fa-r thu i bur-tu.)

Don't touch me!

Ekki snerta mig! (E-kki snert-a mig.)

I'll call the police.

Ég kalla á lögregluna. (Ye kat-la a lurk-rek-luna.)

Police!

Lögregla! (Lurk-rek-la!)

Stop! Thief!

Stopp! Þjófur! (Sto-hp! Thyoh-vur!)

I need your help.

Ég þarf smá hjálp. (Ye tharf smow hjowlp.)

It's an emergency.

Það er áríðandi. (Thadh er awr-eedh-an-ti.)

I'm lost.

Masculine: Ég er týndur. (Yeg er teen-tur.) Feminine: Ég er týnd ("Yeg er teen-t)

My bag is missing.

Taskan mín er týnd. (Tas-kan meen er teen-t.)

My wallet is missing.

Seðlaveskið mitt er týnt. (Sedh-la-ves-kidh mi-ht er teent.)

My purse is missing.

Buddan mín er týnd. (Bu-tan meen er teen-t.)

I'm sick.

Masculine: Ég er veikur. (Yeg er vai-kur.).Feminine: Ég er veik ("Yeg er vai-k")

I've been injured.

Ég er særður. (Yeg er sair-thur.)

I need a doctor.

Ég þarf lækni. (Yeg tha-rf lai-kni.)

Can I use your phone?

Má ég nota símann þinn? (Maw ye not-a see-min thin?)

Numbers

NOTE: The numbers 1 to 4 have three gender forms in Icelandic, and this gender form changes depending upon whether the number is attached to a masculine, feminine, or neuter word. Only numbers one to four have these gender forms. In addition the numbers one to four change for the four grammatical cases; however, all numbers below are in their nominative (or natural) forms.

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

númer _____ (noo-mer)

half

hálfur (hawl-vur)

third

þriðji (thri-dhyi)

quarter

fjórðungur (fjohr-dhun-gur)

less

minni (min-ni)

more

meiri (may-ri)

Cardinal

Examples:

(m) Einn maður (ay-tn madh-ur) "one man".

(f) Ein kona (ayn kon-a) "one woman".

(n) Eitt barn (ay-ht barn) "one child".

1

einn, (masculine) (a-te) much like the word "eight or ate" but with a softer T

ein, (feminine) (ayn)

eitt, (neuter) (ay-ht)

2

tveir, (masculine) (tvay-r)

tvær, (feminine) (tvigh-r)

tvö, (neuter) (tvur)

3

þrír, (masculine) (threer)

þrjár, (feminine) (three-aw)

þrjú, (neuter) (three-oo)

4

fjórir, (masculine) (fjoh-rir)

fjórar, (feminine) (fjoh-rar)

fjögur, (neuter) (fyoh-ur)

5

fimm (fim)

6

sex (sex)

7

sjö (syur)

8

átta (ohw-ta)

9

níu (nee-u)

10

tíu (tee-u)

11

ellefu (et-le-vu)

12

tólf (toe-lv)

13

þrettán (threh-tawn)

14

fjórtán (fyohr-tawn)

15

fimmtán (fim-tawn)

16

sextán (sex-tawn)

17

sautján (sur-ee-tyawn)

Or, seytján (say-tjawn)

18

átján (aw-tyawn)

19

nítján (nee-tyawn)

20

tuttugu (tuh-tu-ghu)

21

tuttugu og einn (tuh-tu-ghu oh aydn)

22

tuttugu og tveir (tuh-tu-ghu oh tvayr)

23

tuttugu og þrír (tuh-tu-ghu oh threer)

30

þrjátíu (thryaw-tee-u)

40

fjörutíu (fyoh-ru-tee-u)

50

fimmtíu (fim-tee-u)

60

sextíu (sex-tee-u)

70

sjötíu (syur-tee-u)

80

áttatíu (awh-ta-tee-u)

90

níutíu (nee-u-tee-u)

100

hundrað (hun-tradh)

101

hundrað og einn (hun-tradh oh ay-dn)

200

tvö hundruð (tvur hun-trudh)

300

þrjú hundruð (thryow hun-trudh)

1000

þúsund (thoo-sunt)

2000

tvö þúsund (tvur thoo-sunt)

100,000

hundrað þúsund (hun-tradh thoo-sunt)

1,000,000

milljón (mil-yohn)

1,000,000,000

miljarður (mil-yar-dhur)

1,000,000,000

billjón (bil-yohn)

Ordinal

1st

fyrsti (fir-sti)

2nd

annar (an-nar)

3rd

þriðji (thri-dhyi)

4th

fjórði (fyohr-dhi)

5th

fimmti (fim-ti)

6th

sjötti (syur-ti)

7th

sjöundi (syur-unti)

8th

áttundi (awt-unti)

9th

níundi (nee-unti)

10th

tíundi (tee-unti)

11th

ellefti (et-lev-ti)

12th

tólfti (tohlv-ti)

13th

þrettándi (thre-ht-awn-ti)

14th

fjórtándi (fyohr-tawn-ti)

15th

fimmtándi (fim-tawn-ti)

16th

sextándi (sex-tawn-ti)

17th

sautjándi (sur-eet-yawn-ti)

Or, seytjándi (say-tyawn-ti)

18th

átjándi (awt-yawn-ti)

19th

nítjándi (neet-yawn-ti)

20th

tuttugasti (tut-htu-kas-ti)

21st

tuttugasti og fyrsti (tut-htu-kas-ti oh fir-sti)

30th

þrítugasti (three-tu-kas-ti)

40th

fertugasti (fer-tu-kas-ti)

50th

fimmtugasti (fim-tu-kas-ti)

60th

sextugasti (sex-tu-kas-ti)

70th

sjötugasti (syur-tu-kas-ti)

80th

áttugasti (awt-tu-kas-ti)

90th

nítugasti (nee-tu-kas-ti)

100th

hundraðasti (hun-tra-dhas-ti)

101st

hundraðasti og fyrsti (hun-tra-dhas-ti oh fir-sti)

100th

tvöhundruðasti (tvur-hun-tra-dhas-ti)

1,000th

þúsundasti (thoo-sun-tas-ti)

2,000th

tvöþúsundasti (tur-thoo-sun-tas-ti)

100,000th

hundrað þúsuntasti (hun-tradh thoo-sun-tas-ti)

1,000,000th

milljónasti (mil-yohn-asti)

1,000,000,000th

þúsund milljónasti (thoo-sunt mil-yohn-asti)

1,000,000,000,000th

billjónasti (bil-yohn-asti)

Time

now

núna (noo-na)

early

snemma (sne-ma)

late

seint (saynt)

before

áður en (awdh-ur en)

later

seinna (say-na)

morning

morgunn (mor-kun)

afternoon

eftirmiðdagur (eb-tir-midh-tak-ur)

evening

kvöld (kvurlt)

night

nótt (no-ht)

Clock time

Iceland runs on the 24 hour clock as does most of Europe. For more details see Writing time and date (below).

one o'clock AM

klukkan er eitt (kluch-kan er ay-ht)

two o'clock AM

klukkan er tvö (kluck-kan er tvur)

noon

hádegi (haw-de-ki)

one o'clock PM

klukkan er þrettán (kluch-kan er thre-ht-awn)

two o'clock PM

klukkan er fjórtán (fyohr-tawn)

midnight

miðnætti (midh-nigh-ht-i)

Duration

_____ minute(s)

_____ mínúta (meen-oo-ta)

Plural; mínútur (meen-oo-tur)

_____ hour(s)

_____ klukkustund (kluch-ku-stunt)

Plural; klukkustundir (kluch-ku-stunt-ir)

_____ day(s)

_____ dagur (dak-ur)

Plural; dagar (dak-ar)

_____ week(s)

_____ vika (vik-a)

Plural; vikur (vik-ur)

_____ month(s)

_____ mánuður (maw-nudh-ur)

Plural; mánuðir (maw-nudh-ar)

_____ year(s)

_____ ár (awr)

Days

Sunday

Sunnudagur (Sun-nu-tak-ur)

Monday

Mánudagur (Maw-nu-tak-ur)

Tuesday

Þriðjudagur (Three-dhyu-tak-ur)

Wednesday

Miðvikudagur (Midh-vee-ku-tak-ur)

Thursday

Fimmtudagur (Fim-tu-tak-ur)

Friday

Föstudagur (Furs-tu-tak-ur)

Saturday

Laugardagur (Lur-ee-kar-tak-ur)

Months

Note: months are only capitalised when they are the first word of a sentence.

January

janúar (yan-oo-ar)

February

febrúar (feb-roo-ar)

March

mars (mars)

April

apríl (ap-reel)

May

maí (ma-ee) similar to migh in "might"

June

júní (yoo-nee)

July

júlí (yoo-lee)

August

ágúst (aw-koo-st)

September

september (sep-tem-ber)

October

október (ok-toh-ber)

November

nóvember (noh-vem-ber)

December

desember (des-em-ber)

Writing time and date

DATE: The date in Iceland is written in the dd/mm/yyyy format, as in Europe. The days and months are normally only capitalised at the start of a sentence, otherwise they are entirely in lower case. A fullstop ,or period, (.) is placed after the date in Icelandic.

Example:

miðvikudagur 14. apríl 2007

Wednesday 14th April 2007

TIME: The time in Iceland is written in the 24 hour format, as in most of Europe (not including UK or Ireland), with 00.00 being midnight and 12.00 being midday. The colon (:) is not used as the digit seperater, but rather the fullstop, or period, (.) is used. Note: the term "half-past the hour" in Icelandic is more like "half to the [next] hour" (see examples below).

Examples of time:

Written: klukkan 07.05

Spoken: "klukkan er fimm mínútur yfir sjö" (kluch-kan er fim meen-oot-ur i-ir syur)

Written: klukkan 13.30

Spoken: "klukkan er hálftvö" (kluch-kan er hawlv-tvur)

Sometimes "klukkan" can be shortened to "kl.":

Written: kl. 20:45

Spoken: "klukkan er korter í níu" (kluch-kan er kor-ter ee neehu)

NOTE: the words that describe the later pm hours of the time are rarely ever used, when speaking of them it is common just to say, example: "átta" (eight)instead of "tuttugu" (twenty)

Colors

black

svartur (svar-tur)

white

hvítur (kvee-tur)

gray

grár (graw-r)

red

rauður (rur-ee-dhur)

blue

blár (blaw-r)

yellow

gulur (gul-ur)

green

grænn (grigh-n)

orange

appelsínugulur (ahp-el-see-nu-gul-ur)

purple

fjólublár (fyo-lu-blaur)

brown

brúnn (broon)

Transportation

Note: there are no trains in Iceland. There are two kinds of bus: rúta, is a long distance coach; strætisvagn (or strætó, as it is commonly known) are the buses found in towns.

Bus and train

A single ticket to _____.

Einn miða, aðra leiðina til _____. (Ay-dn mi-dha, adh-ra lay-dhin-a til _____.)

A return ticket to _____.

Einn miða, báðar leiðir til _____. (Ay-dn mi-dha, baw-dhar lay-dhin-ir til _____.)

How much does that cost?

Hvað kostar það? (Kvadh kos-tar thadh?)

Where does this bus/coach go?

Hvert fer þessi strætó/rúta? (Kvar fer the-si strigh-toh/roo-ta?)

Where is the bus/coach to _____?

Hvar er strætónn/rútan til _____? (Kvar er strigh-toh/roo-tan til _____?)

Does this bus stop at _____?

Stoppar þessi strætó hjá _____? (Sto-hpar the-si strigh-toh hyaw _____?)

Does this coach stop in _____?

Stoppar þessi rúta í _____? (Sto-hpar the-si roo-ta ee _____?)

When does the bus/coach leave?

Hvenær fer hann/hún? (Kven-ighr fer han/hoon?)

When does the bus/coach leave for _____?

Hvenær fer strætónn/rútan til _____? (Kven-ighr fer strigh-tohn/roo-tan til _____?)

When does the bus/coach arrive?

Hvenær kemur hann/hún? (Kven-ighr kem-ur han/hoon?)

When will the bus/coach arrive in _____?

Hvenær kemur strætónn/rútan í _____? (Kven-ighr strigh-tohn/roo-tan ee _____?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

Hvernig kemst ég til _____? (Kver-nik kem-st ye til _____?)

Where is _____?

Hvar er _____? (Kvar er _____?)

...the bus stop?

...strætóstopp? (...strigh-toh-sto-hp?)

Sometimes; ...strætisvagnastopp? (...strigh-tis-vak-na-sto-hp?)

...the bus station?

...strætóstöðin? (...strigh-toh-stur-dhin?)

Sometimes; ...strætisvagnastöðin? (...strigh-toh-vak-na-stur-dhin?)

...the coach station?

...biðstöðin? (...bidh-stur-dhin?)

Sometimes; ...stoppistöðin? (...sto-hpis-stur-dhin?)

...the airport?

...flugvöllurinn? (...blu-kvojt-lur-inn?)

...downtown?

...niður í miðbæ? (ni-dur ee midh-bye) "bye" like English "Bye"

...the youth hostel?

...farfuglaheimilið? (...far-fuk-la-hay-mil-idh?)

...the guest house?

...gistihúsið? (...gi-sti-hoos-idh?)

...the British consulate?

...breska ræðismannsskrifstofan? (bre-ska righ-dhis-mans-skriv-sto-van?)

Or, the American consulate: ...ameríska ræðimannsskrifstofan? (am-e-ree-ska righ-dhis-mans-skriv-sto-van?)

Or, the Canadian consulate?: ...kanadíska ræðimannsskrifstofan? (ka-nad-ee-ska righ-dhis-mans-skriv-sto-van?)

Or, the Australian consulate?: ...ástralska ræðimannsskrifstofan? (aw-stral-ska righ-dhis-mans-skriv-sto-van?)

Where are there ...

Hvar eru ... (Kvar eruh...)

...a lot of hotels?

...mörg hótel? (...muhrg hoh-tel?)

...a lot of restaurants?

...mörg veitingahús? (...muhrg vay-tin-ka-hoos?)

...a lot of bars?

...margar krár? (mar-gawr krowr)

...a lot of sites to see?

...margir ferðamannastaðir? (...mahr-gihr fer-dha-man-na-sta-dhir?)

Can you show me on the map?

Gætiru sýnt mér á kortinu? (Gai-tiru see-nt m-yer a kort-inu?)

street

stræti (strigh-ti)

turn left

fara til vinstri (fa-ra til vin-stri)

turn right

fara til hægri (fa-ra til high-kri)

left

vinstri (vin-stri)

right

hægri (high-kri)

straight ahead

beint áfram (bay-nt aw-fram)

towards the _____

til _____ (til)

past the _____

framhjá _____ (fram-hyaw)

before the _____

á undan _____ (aw un-tan)

opposite (the)

á móti _____ (aw moh-ti)

Watch for the _____.

leita að _____. (lay-ta adh)

intersection

gatnamót (gat-nam-oht)

north

norður (nor-dhur)

south

suður (su-dhur)

east

austur (ur-ee-stur)

west

vestur (ve-stur)

uphill

upp í móti (up ee moh-ti)

downhill

niður í móti (ni-dhur ee moh-ti)

Taxi

Taxi!

Taxi! (Tax-ee!)

Take me to _____, please.

Taka mig til _____, gjörðu svo vel. (Ta-ka mik til _____, gyur-dhu svo vel.)

How much does it cost to get to _____?

Hvað kostar það til _____? (Kvadh kos-tar thadh til _____?)

Take me there, please.

Taka mig til þar, gjörðu svo vel. (Ta-ka mik til thar, gyur-dhu svo vel.)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?

Áttu laus herbergi? (Ow-tu luhys her-ber-ki?)

I'd like a single/double room.

Gæti ég fengið einsmanns herbergi/tveggjamanna herbergi.(Gigh-ti ye fen-kidh ay-ns-mans her-ber-ki/tvek-ja-ma-na her-ber-ki.)

Does the room come with...

Kemur það með... (Ke-mur thadh medh...)

...bedsheets?

...rúmfötum? (...room-furt-ohm?)

...a bathroom?

...klósetti? (...kloh-se-htee?)

...a telephone?

...síma? (...see-mah?)

...a TV?

...sjónvarp? (...syohn-varpee?)

...a bath/shower?

...baði/sturtu? (...ba-dhi/stuhr-tu?)

May I see the room first?

Má ég sjá herbergið fyrst? (Maw ye syaw her-berg-ith fi-rst?)

Do you have anything quieter?

Ertu nokkuð með rólegri herbergi? (Er-tu no-chk-udh medh roh-leg-rih her-ber-ki?)

...bigger?

...stærra herbergi? (...sty-rah her-ber-ki?)

...cleaner?

...hreinna herbergi? (...hraydna her-ber-ki?)

...cheaper?

...ódýrara herbergi? (...oh-deer-a-ra her-ber-ki)

OK, I'll take it.

Allt í lagi, ég tek það. (...)

I will stay for _____ night(s).

Ég dvelst hér _____ nótt/nætur. (...)

Can you suggest another hotel?

Getur þú mælt með öðru hóteli? (...)

Do you have a safe?

Hefur þú öryggishólf? (...)

...lockers?

...hirslur? (...)

Is breakfast/supper included?

Er morgunmatur/kvöldmatur innifalinn? (...)

What time is breakfast/supper?

Hvenær er morgunmaturinn/kvöldmaturinn? (...)

Please clean my room.

Getur þú þrifið herbergið mitt? (...)

Can you wake me at _____? | Getur þú vakið mig klukkan _____? (...)

I want to check out.

Get ég skráð mig út núna?. (...)

Money

How much does it/that cost?

Hvað kostar það? (...)

Where's the bank?

Hvar er bankinn? (...)

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

Tekur þú ameríska/ástralska/kanadíska dollara? (...)

Do you accept British pounds?

Tekur þú bresk pund? (...)

Do you accept credit cards?

Tekur þú greiðslukort? (...)

Can you change money for me?

Getur þú hjálpað mér að skipta peningum? (...)

Where can I get money changed?

Hvar get ég skipt peningum? (...)

Can you change a traveler's cheque for me?

Getur þú skipt ferðatékka fyrir mig? (...)

Where can I get a traveler's cheque changed?

Hvar get ég fengið ferðaávísanir? (...)

What is the exchange rate for?

Hvað er gengið á___? (...)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

Hvar er næsti hraðbanki? (...)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.

Get ég fengið borð fyrir einn/tvo. (...)

Can I look at the menu, please?

Get ég fengið matseðil? (...)

Is there a house specialty?

Hver er sérréttur ykkar? (...)

Is there a local specialty?

Er hægt að prófa einhvern staðarrétt? (...)

I'm a vegetarian.

Ég er grænmetisæta. (...)

I don't eat pork.

Ég borða ekki svínakjöt. (...)

I don't eat beef.

Ég borða ekki nautakjöt. (...)

I only eat kosher food.

Ég borða aðeins gyðinglega [=Jewish] réttfæðu. (...) There are almost no Jews in Iceland, so many people will have only the vaguest of ideas of what constitutes a kosher diet.

breakfast

morgunmatur, or morgunkaffi (...) The latter translates as morning coffee. Breakfast is usually light, as is lunch. Dinner is usually the main meal of the day.

lunch

hádegisverður (...)

tea (meal)

kaffi (...) Afternoon tea is referred to as "coffee" in Iceland.

supper

kvöldmatur (...)

I would like _____.

Get ég fengið _____?. (...)

I want a dish containing _____.

Ég vil fá rétt með _____. (...)

chicken

kjúklingi (...)

beef

nautakjöti (...)

fish

fiski. (...)

putrified shark

hákarl. (HOW-kar-t)

meat

kjöti (...)

ham

svínslæri (...)

sausages

pylsum (...)

cheese

osti (...)

eggs

eggjum (...)

salad

salati (...)

(fresh) vegetables

(fersku) grænmeti (...)

(fresh) fruit

(ferskum) ávöxtum (...)

bread

brauð (...)

toast

smurt brauð (...)

noodles

núðlur (...)

rice

hrísgrjón (...)

beans

baunir (...)

May I have a glass of _____?

Get ég fengið glas af _____? (...)

May I have a cup of _____?

Get ég fengið bolla af _____? (...)

May I have a bottle of _____?

Get ég fengið flösku af _____? (...)

coffee

kaffi (...)

milk

mjólk (noun) (...) mjólka (verb) (...)

tea (drink)

te (...)

juice

safi (...)

(bubbly) water

sódavatn (...)

water

vatn (...)

beer

bjór (...)

red/white wine

rauðvín/hvítvín (...)

May I have some _____?

Get ég fengið _____? (...)

salt

salt. (...)

black pepper

svartur pipar (...)

butter

smjör (...)

chocolate

súkkulaði (...)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

Afsakið, þjónn? (...)

I'm finished.

Ég er búinn að borða. (...)

The meal was delicious.

Máltíðin var ljúffeng. (...)

Please clear the plates.

Getur þú tekið diskana? (...)

The check, please.

Get ég fengið reikninginn? (...)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?

Seljið þið áfengi? (...)

Is there table service?

Þjónið þið til borðs? (...)

A beer/two beers, please.

Get ég fengið bjór/tvo bjóra?. (...)

A glass of red/white wine, please.

Get ég fengið glas af rauðvíni/hvítvíni?. (...)

A pint, please.

Get ég fengið hálfs lítra bjór?. (...)

In a bottle, please.

Get ég fengið það í flösku?. (...)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

Get ég fengið_____ og _____?. (...)

whiskey

viskí (...)

vodka

vodka (...)

rum

romm (...)

water

vatn (...)

club soda

sódavatn (...)

tonic

tónik (...)

orange juice

appelsínusafi (...)

Coke (soda)

kók (...)

Do you have any bar snacks?

Eigið þið snarl? (...)

One more, please.

Get ég fengið annan?. (...)

Another round, please.

Annar hringur! (...)

When is closing time?

Hvenær lokið þið? (...)

Cheers!

Skál! (...)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

Átt þú þetta í minni stærð? (...)

How much is this?

Hvað kostar þetta? (...)

That's too expensive.

Þetta er of dýrt. (...)

expensive

dýr (...)

cheap

ódýr (...)

I can't afford this.

Ég hef ekki efni á þessu. (...)

I don't want this.

Mig langar ekki í þetta. (...)

I'm not interested.

Ég hef ekki áhuga. (..)

OK, I'll take it.

Allt í lagi, ég tek það. (...)

Can I have a bag?

Get ég fengið poka? (...)

Do you ship (overseas)?

Getur þú sent þetta til ___? (...)

I need...

Mig vantar ... (...)

...toothpaste.

...tannkrem. (...)

...a toothbrush.

...tannbursta. (...)

...tampons.

...túrtappa. (...)

...sanitary pads.

...dömubindi. (...)

...soap.

...sápu. (...)

...shampoo.

...hársápu/sjampó. (...)

...conditioner.

...hárnæringu. (...)

...pain reliever.(e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

...verkjalyf. (...)

...cold medicine.

...kveflyf. (...)

...stomach medicine.

...lyf við magaveiki. (...)

...a razor.

...rakvél. (...)

...an umbrella.

...regnhlíf. (...)

...sunblock lotion.

...sólaráburð. (...)

...a postcard.

...póstkort. (...)

...postage stamps.

...frímerki. (...)

...batteries.

...rafhlöður. (...)

...writing paper.

...bréfsefni. (...)

...a pen.

...penna. (...)

...English-language books.

...bækur á ensku. (...)

...English-language magazines.

...tímarit á ensku. (...)

...an English-language newspaper.

...dagblað á ensku. (...)

...an English-Icelandic dictionary.

...ensk-íslenska orðabók. (...)

Driving

I want to rent a car.

Get ég leigt bil? (...)

Can I get insurance?

Get ég fengið vátryggingu? (...)

stop (on a street sign)

stans (...)

one way

einstefna (...)

yield

biðskylda (...)

no parking

engin bílastæði (...)

speed limit

hámarkshraði/hraðatakmark (...)

gas (petrol) station

bensínstöð (...)

garage

verkstæði (...)

petrol

bensín (...)

diesel

dísel (...)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.

Ég hef ekki gert neitt rangt. (...)

It was a misunderstanding.

Það var misskilningur. (...)

Where are you taking me?

Hvert eruð þið að fara með mig? (...)

Am I under arrest?

Er ég handtekin(n)? (...)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

Ég er amerískur/ástralskur/breskur/kanadískur ríkisborgari. (...)

I demand to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

Ég krefst þess að tala við ameríska/ástralska/breska/kanadíska sendiráðið/ræðismannsskrifstofuna. (...)

I want to talk to a lawyer.

Ég vil tala við lögfræðing. (...)

Can I just pay the fine now?

Get ég ekki bara borgað sektina núna? (...)