Don't be shocked when I tell you that learning Icelandic is hard. It's really hard! I'd even dare to say it's the hardest language to learn on the planet!
Although, beautiful when spoken! For example, 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. Long ago, a local said the easiest way to remember how to pronounce it was thinking you were saying
“g
o-on-dyin'.” And said quick enough, it works!
GOOD EVENING = GOTT KVÖLD
After 6 p.m., the greeting changes to Gott Kvöld. The best way to pronounce it can be found
here.
GOOD NIGHT = GÓÐA NÓTT
When you're ready to retire to your home or bed for the night, the simplest of Icelandic words to learn Góða Nótt. The best way to pronounce it would be, “
go-tha-note.”
YES = JÁ / NO = NEI
One cannot go wrong in learning the easiest one-word answers: Yes and no! They're pronounced: Yes = “
y-ow” / No = “
ney.”
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
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
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
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”!
