Icelandic phrasebook
Phrasebook
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.
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 medial or final position). 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 "gy" 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"
Grammar
Icelandic nouns are declined in four cases, two numbers, and the presence of the definite article. All Icelandic nouns have one of three genders assigned to them: male, female and neuter. Unlike in English, inanimate objects often have a gender other than neuter assigned to them. Verbs have person and number, which is used with pronouns.
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.
Hello. Halló. (Halló. ) Hello (informal). Sæll, (Saill, (to a man)):Sæl, (Sail, (to a woman)) Hi. Hæ. (Hai. ):Common amongst younger generations. How are you? Hvað segirðu gott? (Hvad: secird:u cott? ) Fine, thank you. Ég segi allt gott, þakka þér fyrir. (Éc seci allt cott, thakka thér fyrir. ) What is your name? Hvað heitirðu? (Hvad: heitird:u? ) My name is ______ . Ég heiti ______ . (Éc heiti ______ . ) Nice to meet you. Komdu sæll, (Komdu saill, (to a man) ):Komdu sæl, (Komdu sail, (to a woman)) Please. Gjörðu svo vel, (cjörd:u svo vel, (to one person)):Or; Gerið þið svo vel, (Or; cerid: thid: svo vel, (to multiple persons)) Thank you. Þakka þér fyrir. (thakka thér fyrir. ) Thanks, (informal) Takk. (Takk. ) You're welcome. Ekkert að þakka. (Ekkert ad: thakka. ) Yes. Já. (Já. ):Or; Jú (Or; Ju ) No. Nei. (Nei. ) Excuse me, (getting attention). Afsakið. (Afsakid:. ) Excuse me, (begging pardon). Fyrirgefðu. (Fyrircefd:u. ) I'm sorry, (didn't hear). Ha? (Ha? (said with a falling intonation, as there were an exclamation mark)):Or; Hvað segir þú? (Or; Hvad: secir thu? ) I'm sorry, (regretful). Því miður. (thví mid:yir. ) Goodbye, (informal). Bless. (pless. ) I can't speak Icelandic [well]. Ég tala ekki íslensku [svo vel]. (Éc tala ekki íslenscu [svo vel]. ) Do you speak English? Talarðu ensku? (Talard:u enscu? ) Is there someone here who speaks English? Er einhver hér sem talar ensku? (Er einhver hér sem talar enscu? ) Help! Hjálp! (Hyawlp! ) Look out! Varúð! (Varud:! ) Good morning. Góðan daginn. (cód:an dacinn. ) Good evening. Góða kvöldið.(cód:a kvöldid:.) Good night. Góða nótt. (Coh-da no-ht. ) Good night, (to sleep). Sofðu vel. (So-vdhu vel. ) I don't understand. Ég skil ekki. (Éc skil ekki. ) Could you speak more slowly? Gætirðu talað hægar? (caitird:u talad: haicar? ) How do you say _____ in Icelandic? Hvernig segir maður _____
Adapted from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)