Icelandic Verbs
Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Icelandic. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Icelandic.
Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Icelandic conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:
| Present Tense | Icelandic |
|---|---|
| I speak English | ég tala ensku  |
| you speak French | þú talar frönsku |
| he speaks German | hann talar þýsku |
| she speaks Italian | hún talar ítölsku |
| we speak Arabic | við tölum arabísku |
| they speak Chinese | þeir tala kínversku |
The past tense in Icelandic conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:
| Past Tense | Icelandic |
|---|---|
| I visited France | ég heimsótti frakkland |
| you visited Italy | þú heimsóttir ítalíu |
| he visited Morocco | hann heimsótti marokkó |
| she visited China | hún heimsótti kína |
| we visited Mexico | við heimsóttum mexíkó |
| they visited Kenya | þau heimsóttu kenía |
The future tense in Icelandic conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:
| Future Tense | Icelandic |
|---|---|
| I will drink milk | ég mun drekka mjólk |
| you will drink coffee | þú munt drekka kaffi |
| he will drink tea | hann mun drekka te |
| she will drink water | hún mun drekka vatn |
| we will drink apple juice | við munum drekka eplasafa |
| they will drink tea | þeir munu drekka te |
Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.
ear eyra | eye auga | mouth munnur | nose nef |
hair hár | face andlit | head höfuð | heart hjarta |
hand hönd | fingers fingur | leg fótur | feet fætur |
Travel Phrases in Icelandic
Imagine yourself in some Icelandic speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!
| English | Icelandic |
|---|---|
| Can you help me? | geturðu hjálpað mér? |
| Can I help you? | get ég hjálpað þér? |
| Where is the airport? | hvar er flugvöllurinn? |
| Go straight | farðu beint áfram |
| Then | svo |
| Turn left | beygðu til vinstri |
| Turn right | beygðu til hægri |
I hope this lesson about the verbs in Icelandic was not hard for you. If you have any question about this lesson please contact me here. Now it's time to check the next lesson below.
| Icelandic Audio |
Inspirational Quote: Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. Goethe |