So you’re heading to Iceland and wondering if you should bother learning the Icelandic language?
Look, I get it, those words look absolutely terrifying on paper!
(And all those extra letters … Where to begin? 🤷🏼♀️).
But here’s the thing:
You don’t need to master Icelandic to have an amazing trip.
A few key phrases, some pronunciation tricks, and basic survival vocab will get you surprisingly far.
Plus, Icelanders genuinely light up when you make an effort, even if you completely butcher the pronunciation!
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to say those mysterious letters, like ð and þ, grocery store items, and common greetings, like hello, in Icelandic.
Trust me, a little Icelandic goes a long way in actually connecting with the people on your trip.
Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents:
- What is the National Language of Iceland?
- Is English Spoken in Iceland?
- A Quick Look at Icelandic Language History
- What Does the Icelandic Language Sound Like?
- Why is Icelandic So Hard to Learn?
- Basic Icelandic Phrases Every Traveler Should Know
- How to Learn Icelandic
- Iceland Maps + Guidebooks
What is the National Language of Iceland?
Icelandic is the official language of Iceland.
It’s what you’ll hear in everyday life, in government, in schools, and when you walk through the streets.
And because language and culture are so closely tied here, even something as simple as a name can tell you a lot about a person’s family, heritage, and history.
Icelanders have some truly fascinating naming traditions.
You can find out more about it here.👇
➡️ READ: Names in Iceland: Learn 6 Important Rules for Icelandic Naming Customs
Is English Spoken in Iceland?
Icelanders start learning English in school from a very young age, so most of them are completely fluent, and many are happy to practice it with you.
The fact that English is widely spoken is a huge draw for American tourists and solo travelers.
That being said, it’s always helpful to come prepared with a few Icelandic phrases.
The only time you might run into a language barrier is if you’re venturing off the beaten path or into less touristy areas, where locals might not switch to English immediately.
My little trick? I always ask politely first: “Is English okay?”
It’s a simple courtesy that shows you’re making an effort, and it gives them the chance to meet you halfway.
Even though locals are very accommodating, they really appreciate it when you make an effort, even if it’s just to say good morning in Icelandic. (Stick around, I’ll show you exactly how to say it!)
A Quick Look at Icelandic Language History
The Icelandic language has its roots in Old Norse, and is the original language of the Vikings from over 800 years ago!
Icelanders are incredibly proud of their heritage, and there’s even a committee that’s responsible for preserving the language.
Did you know that they can still read the old Viking sagas in their original form?
Pretty amazing, right?
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What Does Icelandic Sound Like?
The closest language to Icelandic is Faroese, which is also related to Norwegian.
There are a LOT of consonants in their words.
Seriously, where did all the vowels go? 😉
Some letters are pronounced in ways that feel completely different from English, which takes getting used to.
On top of that, the Icelandic language often carries an upward inflection. This makes it tricky to tell if someone is asking a question or stating a fact!
Why Is Icelandic So Hard to Learn?
The grammar can be unique and difficult, and there are also special letters you need to learn how to pronounce.
The Icelandic language often combines multiple words into one long compound word, which can make reading a challenge.
Even after years of living in Iceland and taking lessons, I’m nowhere close to being fluent!
OSKAR COURSE PROMO
Ready to impress the locals on your trip?
Learn Icelandic the easy way with Speak Viking’s online courses! Start with simple phrases or dive deeper into the language with easy to digest video modules.
👉 Check out the courses here
Fun fact: The longest word in Icelandic is a whopping 64 characters long!👇
Vaðlaheiðarvegavinnuverkfærageymsluskúraútidyralyklakippuhringur.
Now say that ten times! 😂
The Alphabet + Icelandic Language Pronunciation Tips
Did you know that the Icelandic alphabet is based on the Latin alphabet, but has 32 letters?
However, C, Q, W, and Z are not used in native Icelandic words.
There are also a few special characters like these ones:
Á: “ow”
Ð: “dth”
Í: “ee”
Þ: “th”
Æ: “eye”
Ö: “oouh”
I did a whole series with my Icelandic friend Jens if you need help with pronunciation.
In this video, he shows you how to pronounce the names of some of the most famous sights in Iceland. Think of it as a mini crash course in Icelandic for beginners! 😉
Basic Icelandic Phrases Every Traveler Should Know
Even though English is widely spoken, I suggest having a few Icelandic phrases in your back pocket.
Greetings in the Icelandic Language
Start with simple greetings and polite expressions.
You can very learn basic Icelandic by mastering these phrases:
Góðan daginn (Goh-then die-in): Good morning/ Good day Takk (Tahk): Thank you
Góða nótt (Goh-tha note): Good night
Afsakið (Av-sak-ith): Excuse me
Talarðu ensku? (Ta-lar-thu en-sku?): Do you speak English?
Ég heiti (Yeg hay-tee): My name is
If you find these phrases helpful, you’ll love the full cheat sheet inside my 👉 Iceland Maps + Guidebooks.
I’ve packed them with handy translations and cultural notes that’ll help you connect with locals.
How to Pronounce the Names of Towns + Places in Iceland
I’m sure that when you first looked at an Icelandic map, you did a double-take!
All those extra letters, accent marks, and tongue-twisting combinations can feel impossible at first glance.
Take a look at some popular towns and places in Iceland.
Sólheimasandur: “Soul-hay-mah-san-dur.” (Emphasis on the first syllable!)
Mývatn:“Mee-vaht.” (With a soft breath at the end. 😀)
Snæfellsnes:“Snai-fells-ness.” The double L rule doesn’t apply here.
Seyðisfjörður: “Say-this-fyur-thur.” (The “ð” is actually a strong “th” sound. )
Vík: “Veek”
Reykjavík : “Ray-kya-veek” (Roll the ‘R’!)
Þingvellir: “Thing-vet-leer” (Soft ‘th’ as in ‘this’)
Seljalandsfoss: “Sell-ya-lands-foss” (With a soft ‘J”)
Dyrhólaey: “Deer-ho-la-ay”
Þórsmörk: “Thors-mark”. Remember Þ = “th” as in “thing” or “think”
The names of some of the best places and towns in Iceland are not easy.
If you want to hear it out loud for yourself and learn a few fun facts too, check out this video.👇
Grocery Shopping
Another bonus of learning the basics of the Icelandic language is that you’ll be able to navigate Iceland’s grocery stores easily.
Grocery shopping in a new country is an adventure on its own, but trying to decode food labels in another language is a whole different game!
Here are some common grocery store words you’ll spot around Iceland:
Dairy
Mjölk: milk
Smjör: butter
Skyr = Icelandic “yogurt” in a variety of flavors.
Meats
Kjúklinga: Chicken
Kjöt: Lamb
Nautakjöt: Beef
Bakery
Samlokubrauð: sandwich bread
Heimilisbrauð: grain bread
Beverages
Kaffi: coffee
Te: tea
Vin = wine
That’s just a taste of what you’ll find on the shelves. Inside my 👉 Iceland Maps + Guidebooks you’ll find a much longer list to make shopping stress-free.
Learn to Speak Icelandic
Let’s be honest…
If you’re just visiting on vacation, you’re probably not going to learn to speak Icelandic fluently.
One of the most helpful tools I’ve found is Google Translate. I love that it’s so quick and will translate for you in real time.
One of the features I find really helpful is the photo option.
If you take a photo of any text, it’s able to translate it from Icelandic to English for you. It’s perfect for signs, menus, and grocery store items.
If you’re serious about learning it more in-depth, you can use an online learning program like Speak Viking to learn the language.
Want more handy tools for your trip? Learn more below.👇
➡️ READ: The 13 Best Apps for Iceland You Can’t Travel Without!
Iceland Maps + Guidebooks
The Icelandic language is beautiful, historic, and, yes, a little intimidating.
So, should you stress about learning Icelandic before your trip? Absolutely not.
A few phrases and a willingness to try will carry you further than you think.
And Icelanders will love you for it!
Remember that the goal isn’t perfection, it’s connection.
And here’s the best part: you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
My 👉 Iceland Maps + Guidebooks include cheat sheets for essential phrases, region-specific information must-see sites, and hidden gems.
You’ll find practical details, like restrooms, restaurants, gas stations, and parking information.
All of this comes on a digital map with hundreds of pinned locations – because nobody should get lost on holiday!
Each guide is region-specific and packed with honest ratings and tips to make your road trip seamless.
I’ve also included exclusive discounts to help you save on your trip.
Gleðilega Skipulagningu!
(Happy Planning!)
