Don’t be shocked when I tell you that learning Icelandic is hard. Like really really hard! I’d even dare to say it’s the hardest language to learn on the planet!  After all Rosetta Stone doesn’t even make a program for it! But don’t fret, today we are going to share a learn Icelandic crash course with you…

The Basics:

Although, beautiful when spoken Icelandic is not a natural language to learn overnight! Rather, it takes time! Why? Likely because there are at least five sounds our mouth do not naturally make…
æ – Pronounced as “eye.”
ð – Pronounced as a “th” sound
ll – The double “ll” is pronounced “tl” but with putting the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth and then as you pronounce the “l,” blow air out the sides of your cheeks
Þ -Pronounced as a “th” sound.ö – Pronounced as “ew.”

Here’s a quick crash course to get you started…

GOOD DAY = GÓÐAN DAGINN

Typically, Góðan Daginn is a general greeting we use daily — whether to your family, friend, or stranger — until around 6 p.m.  For example, long ago, a local said the easiest way to remember how to pronounce it was thinking you were saying “go-on-dyin‘.” And said quick enough, it works!

GOOD EVENING = GOTT KVÖLD

After 6 p.m., the greeting changes to Gott Kvöld. Additionally, the best way to pronounce it can be found here.

GOOD NIGHT = GÓÐA NÓTT

Next, when you’re ready to retire to your home or bed for the night, the simplest of Icelandic words to learn Góða Nótt. To illustrate, the best way to pronounce it would be, “go-tha-note.”

YES = JÁ / NO = NEI / MAYBE = KANNSKI

Also, one cannot go wrong in learning the easiest one-word answers: Yes, no, and maybe! They’re pronounced as follows: Yes = “y-ow” / No = “ney” / Maybe = kan-skii

I LOVE YOU = ÉG ELSKA ÞIG

When in Iceland, you might as well profess your love like a local by saying “I love you” in Icelandic! Be ready to slowly say, “yeg el-ska thig.”

THANKS = TAKK FYRIR

Next, Icelanders, truly appreciate folks who have good manners. Make sure you thank anyone who does something for you by saying, “Takk Fyrir” (or “Takk Takk” for short). Think about pronouncing it like this… “tah-k fih-r-ih-r .”

EXCUSE ME (OR SORRY) = AFSAKIÐ

Also, pretty sure at some point during your Iceland trip, you’ll need to apologize or excuse yourself. The Icelandic words to learn is “Afsakið” (pronounced “af – sek – edth.”

YOU’RE WELCOME = VERÐU ÞÉR GÓÐUR

As we stay on the manners topic, it may be good to know how to say “you’re welcome” in Icelandic. “Verðu þér góður” can be slowly pronounced as, “veh-r thu-theer go-thu-r.”

IT WILL ALL WORK OUT OKAY = ÞETTA REDDAST

Furthermore, the Icelandic nation is known for being laid back and easy going. For hundreds of years, they’ve endured all sorts of hardships but prevailed with positivity. Shall we take a page out of their book and live by the motto of “it’ll all work out okay” (Þetta Reddast)? In regards to Iceland wedding planning, it can be used when you think about the weather! Next, let’s learn how to pronounce it, “thaat-a red-ast.”

BYE BYE = BLESS BLESS!

Lastly, we saved the most fun and maybe even the easiest Icelandic words to learn for last! Any English speaker should have zero issues pronouncing “bye bye” in Iceland which is pronounced “bless bless”!

Learn Icelandic

We hope you have enjoyed having a go today to learn Icelandic with our sweet little crash course!  Feel free to contact us for more awesome resources. Lastly, also feel free to checkout our adventures so you can experience the language first hand with our amazing guides!