Yes, no and the essentials in Faroese
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Faroese words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Faroese phrases in this lesson
- Jaya
- Yes
- Neinay
- No
- Í lagiee LAH-yee
- Okay
- Eg skilji ikkieh SKIL-yee IH-kee
- I don't understand
- Tosar tú enskt?TOH-sar too enskt
- Do you speak English?
- Kanst tú siga tað aftur?kanst too SEE-a teh AF-tur
- Can you repeat that?
- Tosa seint, takkTOH-sa saint tahk
- Slowly, please
- Hvat er hetta?kvat air HET-ta
- What is this?
- Eg havi brúk fyri...eh HAH-vee broohk FEE-ree
- I need...
- Kanst tú hjálpa mær?kanst too YOWL-pa mair
- Can you help me?
Pronounced like the German "ja." Faroese people sometimes use a sharp intake of breath to mean yes in very casual conversation, similar to Icelandic.
Clear and direct. Faroese culture values straightforwardness, so a polite "nei, takk" (no, thanks) is perfectly acceptable and not rude.
The everyday agreement word. Literally "in order." You will hear this constantly in casual Faroese conversation as a filler and confirmation.
Use this to signal a language barrier. Follow it with "Tosar tú enskt?" (Do you speak English?) for the best result.
English is taught from an early age in Faroese schools. Most people under 60, and many older residents, speak English confidently.
Literally "speak slowly, thanks".
Point at the dried fish and fermented lamb.