Adjectives

1. stórur

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   Masculine singular; feminine "stór", neuter "stórt"

2. lítil

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

   Grammar Note

   Masculine singular; feminine "lítil", neuter "lítið"

3. tungur

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

   Grammar Note

   Feminine "tung", neuter "tungt"

4. lættur

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

   Grammar Note

   Means both "light in weight" and "easy"; light in colour is "ljósur"

5. dýrur

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   Feminine "dýr", neuter "dýrt"

6. bíligur

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

   Grammar Note

   Feminine "bílig", neuter "bíligt"

7. heitur

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   Hot to the touch; pleasantly warm is "lýggjur"

8. kaldur

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   Cold to the touch; neuter "kalt"

9. nýggjur

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

   Grammar Note

   Feminine "nýggj", neuter "nýtt"

10. gamal

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Old as in an object; feminine "gomul", neuter "gamalt"

11. ungur

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "ung", neuter "ungt"

12. eldri

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

    Grammar Note

    The comparative of "gamal", used as the polite word for an elderly person

13. reinur

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

    Grammar Note

    "Clean" only; beautiful is "vakur"

14. skitin

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "skitin", neuter "skitið"

15. góður

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "góð", neuter "gott"

16. ringur

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "ring", neuter "ringt"; "illur" is stronger

17. nær

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

    Grammar Note

    "Er tað nær?" is the standard question

18. langt burtur

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

    Grammar Note

    "Er tað langt burtur?" is the traveller's standard question

19. tíðligur

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    Early in time; fast in speed is "skjótur"

20. seinur

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    Late in time; it can also mean slow, so context decides

21. nógvir

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

    Grammar Note

    Masculine plural; feminine "nógvar", neuter "nógv"

22. fáir

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

    Grammar Note

    Masculine plural; feminine "fáar", neuter "fá"

23. Tað er heitt

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the dummy subject "tað" and the neuter form "heitt"

24. Tað er kalt

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the dummy subject "tað" and the neuter form "kalt"

25. sætur

    Cute

    Usage

    Used broadly for people, things, and animals; also covers "sweet"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "søt", neuter "sætt"

26. Tað smakkar væl

    Delicious

    Usage

    The word you will reach for most often at the table

    Grammar Note

    Literally "it tastes well"

27. ótrúligur

    Amazing

    Usage

    An expression of surprise and admiration

28. skemtiligur

    Fun

    Usage

    For describing an experience itself

Browse all TravelPhrases languages