Greetings and politeness in Faroese
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the eleven openers everything else builds on. 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 11 Faroese phrases in this lesson
- HalloHAH-lo
- Hello
- Góðan morgunGOH-an MOR-goon
- Good morning
- Gott kvøldgot kvurl
- Good evening
- Farvælfar-VELL
- Goodbye
- Vit síggjastvit SOOJ-yast
- See you
- VinarligaVEE-nar-lee-ga
- Please
- Takktahk
- Thank you
- Einki at takka fyriAYN-chee at TAH-ka FEE-ree
- You're welcome
- Tað harmar megteh HAR-mar meh
- Sorry
- Orsaka megOR-sah-ka meh
- Excuse me
- Gott at hitta teggot at HIT-ta teh
- Nice to meet you
The standard all-purpose greeting used any time of day. Works in shops, on the street, and when answering the phone.
Used until around midday. The ð is soft, like the "th" in "the." Locals appreciate the effort even if your pronunciation is imperfect.
Said arriving anywhere in the evening.
A slightly formal farewell. In casual speech you will also hear "bless" (bless) borrowed from Icelandic, meaning goodbye.
Literally we see each other, the everyday see you.
Faroese does not always use a separate "please" word the way English does. Vinarliga can be added to requests but tone and context carry a lot of politeness on their own.
The everyday quick thank-you. Faroese people are warm but not effusive, so a simple "Takk" is perfectly natural and appreciated.
Literally "nothing to thank for", the everyday reply.
Literally "it grieves me", for a real apology.
Use it to get someone's attention or to ask to pass.
Literally "good to meet you".