Greetings and politeness in Icelandic
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Icelandic 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 Icelandic phrases in this lesson
- HallóHAH-lo
- Hello
- Góðan daginnGOH-than DIE-in
- Good morning
- Gott kvöldgot kvuhld
- Good evening
- Blessbless
- Goodbye
- SjáumstSYOW-mst
- See you
- VinsamlegastVIN-sam-leh-gast
- Please
- Takktahk
- Thank you
- Það var ekkertthath var EK-kert
- You're welcome
- FyrirgefðuFIR-ir-gev-thu
- Sorry
- AfsakiðAHF-sah-kith
- Excuse me
- Gaman að hitta þigGAH-man ath HIT-tah thig
- Nice to meet you
An everyday greeting for shops, hotels and casual conversation.
Literally "good day." Used as a morning greeting but also works throughout the day as a polite opener in shops or offices. The ð is soft, like the "th" in "the."
Said arriving anywhere in the evening.
The most common farewell by far, used in every context from leaving a shop to ending a phone call. Often said twice as "Bless bless" for a warmer send-off.
Literally "we'll see each other". Bless works for everyone.
Icelandic has no short word for "please" like French "s'il vous plaît." Vinsamlegast is the polite form and is a bit of a mouthful. In casual speech, Icelanders often just use a friendly tone instead.
The everyday word for thanks, used constantly in shops, cafes, and on the street. Short and clean. Often doubled as "Takk takk" for extra warmth.
Literally "it was nothing." The standard reply when someone thanks you. The "Það" sounds roughly like "thath" with a soft th, not a hard d.
Literally "forgive", the real apology.
Used to get attention or to apologize for a small bump.
Literally "fun to meet you." Use it when you are introduced to someone.