What Language Is Spoken in Iceland?
Icelandic is the official language of Iceland and the language used in place names, schools, government and daily life. English is widely spoken, especially in Reykjavik and the tourism industry, so most visitors can travel comfortably without speaking Icelandic. Learning a few local words is still useful and always appreciated.
Quick guide to the Icelandic language
| Official language | Icelandic |
|---|---|
| Icelandic name | Íslenska |
| Language family | North Germanic |
| Closest relatives | Faroese and West Norwegian dialects |
| Alphabet | 32 letters, including Þ, Ð, Æ and Ö |
| English for visitors | Widely spoken, especially in tourism and Reykjavik |
| Good to know | You can travel comfortably in English, but learning a few Icelandic words helps with place names and is always appreciated. |
Do people speak English in Iceland?
Yes. English is taught in Iceland and is widely used with international visitors. Hotels, tour companies, restaurants, museums and many shops can normally assist you in English, particularly in Reykjavik and popular travel areas.
English is not an official replacement for Icelandic. Road signs, place names, public information and everyday conversations are often in Icelandic, although visitor information is frequently available in English as well. You do not need Icelandic for a holiday, but a simple takk or góðan dag is a friendly way to begin.
Where does the Icelandic language come from?
Icelandic developed from the North Germanic language brought by settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries. It is most closely related to Faroese and to dialects from western Norway. Its grammar and vocabulary retain many older features, but modern Icelandic is not simply Old Norse.
Language is closely tied to Iceland's literary history. Medieval works such as the sagas remain central to Icelandic culture, although modern readers learn the older vocabulary and spelling at school. Read more about the people and written sources of this period in our Settlement of Iceland guide.
How to pronounce Icelandic words
Icelandic spelling is more consistent than it first appears, but an English-friendly pronunciation can only be approximate. Stress normally falls on the first syllable. These letter sounds will help with names, menus and signs:
- Þ / þ sounds like th in think.
- Ð / ð sounds like th in this.
- J / j sounds like y in yes.
- Á / á is roughly like ow in now.
- Æ / æ is similar to the vowel sound in eye.
- Ö / ö is close to the vowel in fur, but shorter and made with rounded lips.
- R / r is rolled or tapped rather than pronounced like a typical English r.
For native audio, use the free Icelandic-English Dictionary from the Árni Magnússon Institute.
Useful Icelandic phrases for visitors
The pronunciation column below is a practical English approximation. Icelanders will understand that you are learning, so do not worry about getting every sound perfect.
| English | Icelandic | Say it roughly like |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Halló | HAH-loh |
| Hi | Hæ | Hi |
| Good day | Góðan dag | GOH-than dah-gh |
| Yes | Já | Yow |
| No | Nei | Nay |
| Thank you | Takk | Tahk |
| Excuse me | Afsakið | AV-sah-kith, with a voiced final th |
| Goodbye | Bless | Bless |
| Cheers | Skál | Skowl |
| Where is...? | Hvar er...? | Kvar ehr...? |
| Do you speak English? | Talar þú ensku? | TAH-lar thoo EN-skoo? |
| I do not understand | Ég skil ekki | Yehg skil EHK-ih |
| Help! | Hjálp! | Hyowlp! |
Useful words in Icelandic place names
Many long Icelandic names are compounds. Once you recognise a few pieces, names on a map begin to describe the landscape:
| Icelandic word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| jökull | glacier | Eyjafjallajökull |
| foss | waterfall | Skógafoss |
| fjall | mountain | Kirkjufell |
| vík | bay or inlet | Reykjavík |
| laug | pool or bathing spring | Landmannalaugar |
| dalur | valley | Reykjadalur |
For example, Eyjafjallajökull can be broken into eyja (islands), fjalla (mountains) and jökull (glacier). The spelling may look formidable, but the parts carry useful information.
Try the hardest Icelandic karaoke song
Ready for a pronunciation challenge? Sing along with The Hardest Karaoke Song in the World from Inspired by Iceland.
Frequently asked questions
What language do they speak in Iceland?
Icelandic is the official and main language used in Iceland. The country is multilingual, and English is widely spoken with visitors.
Can I visit Iceland if I only speak English?
Yes. Most travelers can use English for accommodation, tours, restaurants, transport and other visitor services. Keep Icelandic place names handy when asking for directions because several names can look or sound similar. Our Useful Information guide covers more everyday travel details.
How do you say hello in Icelandic?
Say halló for hello or hæ for hi. Both are common and informal.
Is Icelandic the same as Old Norse?
No. Icelandic descends from the language of the Norse settlers and preserves many older features, but it has developed over more than a thousand years and is a modern language in its own right. Learn more in our Settlement of Iceland guide.
Is Icelandic difficult to learn?
The grammar has several cases and word forms, so reaching fluency takes time. Basic pronunciation and travel phrases are much easier to start with, and the relatively consistent spelling helps once you know the main letter sounds.
Keep planning your trip
For everyday travel details, see our Useful Information guide. You can also use the complete Iceland travel guide for weather, money, driving, transport, phone service, health and entry planning.