Want to connect more deeply with your Icelandic-speaking family? This blog is full of everyday Icelandic sayings and phrases you can actually use in conversations with your grandparents, cousins, or other relatives.
You’ll see how people in Iceland like to joke around, give encouragement, or even threaten each other with unusual expressions. If you learn them, it’ll feel like you’re more connected to your heritage, and you’ll be able to speak more naturally when you’re in Iceland.
What Are Some Common Icelandic Sayings?
Common sayings have always been a part of daily life in Iceland, and some even go all the way back to the Viking age. When literally translated, they don’t usually make any sense, but in Icelandic, they’re used to say something funny, talk about everyday life, and share little bits of wisdom.
Let’s learn some of the most common Icelandic sayings that are still used to this day!
I Come Completely From The Mountains – Ég Kem Alveg Af Fjöllum
This is a saying that people use when they come to a situation totally unprepared. It’s like they’ve just wandered down the hills and landed where they’ve got no idea what’s going on. Next time something confusing happens, you can just give a shrug and say ég kem alveg af fjöllum.
The Raisin At The End Of The Hot Dog – Rúsínan Í Pylsuendanum
This saying sounds really strange at first. Who wants a raisin in a hot dog? Well, Icelanders say this when there’s a pleasant surprise or a good moment at the end of something. The idea comes from Danish cooking, where a raisin was placed at the end of a sausage as a tiny sweet bonus. Icelanders kept the idea and turned it into a phrase for something nice you didn’t expect.
Bite The Molar – Bíta Á Jaxlinn
People usually say this in Iceland when someone has a hard task in front of them or is dealing with a stressful day. A friend might tell them bíta á jaxlinn, which is them trying to say you should take a deep breath, stay steady, and push through. It’s basically like saying “hang in there” or “deal with it.”
I’ll Take You To The Bakery – Taka Þig Í Bakaríið
When you hear that someone wants to take you to the bakery, you picture pastries and bread. But Icelanders actually use this saying as a threat. If someone says this to you in anger, they’re not inviting you out for a cinnamon roll. They’re basically saying they want to beat you up.
People sometimes joke about it, so if you hear it while in Iceland and the tone is friendly, you can laugh along. If the tone is not friendly, then the bakery is the last place anyone is going.
Lay Your Head In Cold Water – Leggja Höfuðið Í Bleyti
This is a common saying people use when they want you to take some time before making a big decision. A friend might tell you this if you’re torn between two job offers or about moving to a new city, for example. They’re not telling you to literally lie your head in the water, but rather to step back, breathe, and let your mind settle.
Thanks For Me – Takk Fyrir Mig
Takk fyrir means thank you in Icelandic, but takk fyrir mig is a special Icelandic saying used specifically when you want to thank someone after a meal, a party, or an event that you were invited to. It’s an everyday saying that is polite and slightly formal, so you can use it with family, friends, or people you don’t know very well.
I Will Find You On A Beach – Ég Mun Finna Þig Í Fjöru
This is a teasing, playful threat used after a small prank or joke between family members. It’s kind of like saying “don’t make me hurt you” or “I’ll get you back” but in a soft and joking way. If a sibling hides your things or a cousin startles you, you can say ég mun finna þig í fjöru with a smile to show you are teasing them back.
To Hit Someone With A Golden Hammer – Að Slá Einhverjum Gullhamra
When translated, this saying literally means you’re hitting someone with a golden hammer, but in Icelandic, it means you are giving someone a compliment or praising them.
Blind Is A Bookless Man – Blindur Er Bóklaus Maður
This saying is used to tease someone who isn’t paying attention or doesn’t know something obvious. You might joke with a relative who missed a detail or didn’t read something important. It’s all in good fun, poking a little at their lack of info.
How Do You Say “Saying” In The Icelandic Language?
The word orðatiltæki in Icelandic refers to a saying or a common expression that people commonly use in conversation. For older proverbs or traditional wise sayings, the word orðorð is used instead. Icelandic sayings in Icelandic is íslensk orðatiltæki.
Easy Icelandic Vocabulary
Learning some Icelandic basics can make a big difference when you’re connecting with your Icelandic-speaking family. See the table below for some easy everyday words!
And if you want to continue learning Icelandic the easy way, check out the Ling app, where you’ll find a full Icelandic course with beginner, intermediate, and advanced topics.
| English | Icelandic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hæ | |
| Goodbye | Bless | |
| Yes | Já | |
| No | Nei | |
| Please | Vinsamlegast | |
| Thank You | Takk | |
| Friend | Vinur / Vinkona | |
| Family | Fjölskylda | |
| Food | Matur | |
| Drink | Drykkur | |
| Home | Heimili | |
| Good | Gott | |
| Bad | Slæmt | |
| Happy | Glaður / Glöð | |
| Sad | Sorgmæddur / Sorgmædd |
Tips For Connecting With Your Icelandic Heritage
Want to feel closer to your Icelandic roots? Here are some simple tips on how you can use language and traditions to connect with your heritage.
- Try learning Icelandic and speaking it every day.
- Ask your older relatives to tell you stories from their childhood.
- Use everyday Icelandic sayings when chatting to relatives, and ask them if they used them when they were young.
- Learn about peculiar sayings and words. For example, Icelandic people have many words for the weather. One is gluggaveður or “window weather”. It means the day looks nice, but it is too cold or windy to go outside.
- The casual way to say hello in Icelandic is hæ or halló, but you may also hear a more niche greeting, which is blessaður or blessuð. It’s used between family, friends, and relatives.
- Read Icelandic children’s books or folk tales. They’re easy to understand and full of cultural insights.
- Pay attention to Icelandic traditions, as some can be pretty strange. For example, in Iceland, last names come from a parent’s first name with “-son” or “-dóttir”, depending on the gender.
- Listen closely to how words are pronounced in conversation. It’s often different from written Icelandic.
- Ask questions about the literal meaning of sayings and phrases. This will help you learn new words and remember them more clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Icelandic Sayings
What Is The Icelandic Motto?
The Icelandic motto is Þetta Reddast, which means “it will all work out okay”. People in Iceland use this saying often when something bad happens. It shows how they believe that things will sort themselves out in the end.
What Is The Most Common Phrase In Iceland?
The most common phrase is góðan daginn, which means “good day”, but can also be used as good morning. It’s a polite and friendly greeting you’ll hear everywhere in Iceland.
What Is Iceland’s Nickname?
Iceland’s nickname is the Land of Ice and Fire. The ice represents the glaciers, and the fire represents the volcanoes.
Connect With Icelandic Culture
Learning and using some of your favorite Icelandic sayings is a simple way to feel closer to your heritage. When translated, they don’t make much sense for English speakers, but in Icelandic, they describe everyday life, humor, and small lessons that Icelanders have passed down through generations.
Learn The Icelandic Language Today With Ling!
It makes sense that you would want to connect with your heritage, so what better way than to learn the language?
Icelandic is one of the oldest languages spoken today, and with the Ling app, you can now explore the roots of Old Norse through interactive lessons and practice real conversations. Download now and start learning Icelandic today!
