Common Words and Greetings
| English Word/Phrase | Icelandic Word/Phrase |
|---|---|
| You’re welcome | þú ert velkominn/Gerðu svo vel |
| Please | Vinsamlegast/Takk |
| Excuse me | Fyrirgefðu |
| Hello | Halló/Góðan daginn |
Contents
Is Icelandic a dying language?
Icelandic. Surprisingly, a native language for an entire country is slowly dying due to digital technology and social media. Icelandic has been around since the 13th century and still maintains its complex grammar structure. However, only approximately 340,000 people speak the language.
Do and don’ts in Iceland?
This is our do’s and don’ts guide with tons of travel tips for conscious travel to Iceland.
- Do’s. Please be considerate and mindful of the locals. Be open-minded and don’t yuck their yum. Rent a car!
- Don’t. Do not be an ugly tourist and stay safe. DO NOT hike glaciers without a guide. Don’t assume their horses are ponies.
What should you avoid in Iceland?
15 Things to Avoid as a Tourist in Iceland
- Don’t Leave Your Coat at Home.
- Don’t Underestimate the Weather.
- Don’t Get Caught in the Dark (or Light)
- Avoid Buying Bottled Water in Stores.
- Avoid Shopping at 10-11.
- Don’t Be Fooled by the Light “Beer” in the Supermarkets.
- Don’t Assume You Can Buy Alcohol Anywhere, Anytime.
Is Iceland a poor country?
In fact, the poverty rate in Iceland is one of the best in the world.The total poverty rate ratio in Iceland is 0.065. Many of the other Nordic countries, such as Norway and Finland, also post very impressive poverty rates. Iceland’s unemployment rate, another key economic indicator, is also very low.
What language is the old tongue in Ragnarok?
Speakers of Old Norse all referred to their language as dönsk tungu, “Danish tongue.”
What countries speak Icelandic?
There are around 350.000 people who speak Icelandic and most of them live in Iceland, but people who speak Icelandic can also be found all over the world, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, US and Canada. The Icelandic language hasn’t changed much throughout the centuries even though it’s a very old language.
Can you live in Iceland only speaking English?
While Icelandic is the official language, appr. 98% of Icelanders speak English fluently, so the latter is enough to start a new life in Iceland. If you are not a native speaker, note that fluency is absolutely required if you want to do anything other than housekeeping or dishwashing.
Do Icelanders hate American tourists?
Of course, Icelanders don’t hate tourists (Iceland has actually been voted the friendliest country to visit in the world!) but since tourism has grown so fast in Iceland rapid changes have been happening in our society.
How do Icelanders greet each other?
Icelanders customarily shake hands when greeting and taking leave of each other. Common greetings include gódan daginn (good day), gott kvöld (good evening), and bless (goodbye).Icelanders generally call each other by their first names, even in formal situations.
What does Þetta Reddast mean?
Þetta Reddast (pronounced thet-ta re-dust) means it’s all going to work out in the end. Or don’t worry, it’s going to be okay!
What does Tak mean in Icelandic?
“Takk” is the short translation for saying “thank you,” which in complete for is Takk Fyrir.
Do most Icelanders speak English?
English is taught as a second language in Iceland and almost every Icelander speaks the language fluently. And more so, most Icelanders speak several other languages including Danish, German, Spanish and French and welcome the opportunity to practice their language skills.
Is Reykjavik safe at night?
Reykjavik is one of the safest cities in the world, just use common sense like not wonder alone late / in the middle of the night in side streets where no one is around.
What is illegal in Iceland?
Not only is it illegal to sell panties, boxers, thongs, and jock straps with the Icelandic flag on them (that would be disrespectful), it is also illegal to sell or advertise items of foreign origin if the image of an Icelandic flag has been put on them (that would be unpatriotic).
What is Iceland’s language?
Icelandic
Can you have a dog in Iceland?
Dogs are forbidden
Strictly speaking, it is forbidden to own dogs in Iceland. In 1971, a complete ban on dogs was enforced in Reykjavík, but 13 years later the rules were changed, and people could own dogs if both owner and dog met a few conditions.
What is traditional Icelandic food?
Traditional food from Iceland
- Svið – Sheep’s head. Svið or sheep’s head in English is perhaps not the most appealing food from Iceland, but it’s a dish that has been eaten traditionally for centuries.
- Harðfiskur – Dried Fish Jerky.
- Kjötsupa.
- Plokkfiskur.
- Hákarl – Fermented Shark.
- Icelandic Fish.
- Pylsur – Hot Dog.
- Skyr.
Is Iceland safe for solo female Travellers?
Fortunately, Iceland is one of the safest and best places for solo female travel. The combination of Iceland’s low crime rates and stellar gender equality makes it the perfect solo female travel destination.
Is there crime in Iceland?
Iceland is considered by many as one of the safest countries in the world to live in, with very low crime and murder rates. For instance, the country has the lowest murder rate in Europe, and only one person was killed on the island in 2019.
Why are there no trees in Iceland?
Iceland Deforestation – An Almost Treeless Land
A large number of sheep contributed to soil erosion, causing a reduction of the areas which could support trees. Lava from volcanic eruptions has also covered some locations that had previously been fertile areas.
