Body Parts

1. høvur

   Head

   Usage

   Show it at a clinic and point to your own head

   Grammar Note

   Neuter; the definite form is "høvdið"

2. hár

   Hair

   Usage

   Used at a barber or salon; the same word covers a single hair and a head of hair

   Grammar Note

   Neuter; definite "hárið"

3. andlit

   Face

   Usage

   Use it to point out sunburn, a rash or an injury

   Grammar Note

   Neuter; definite "andlitið"

4. eyga

   Eye

   Usage

   For both eyes use the plural "eygu"

   Grammar Note

   Neuter; plural "eygu", definite "eygað"

5. oyra

   Ear

   Usage

   Plural "oyru". The same spelling is also an old coin unit, but pointing at your ear removes any doubt

   Grammar Note

   Neuter; plural "oyru"

6. nøs

   Nose

   Usage

   Use it for a nosebleed or a blocked nose; the plural "nasar" also covers the nostrils

   Grammar Note

   Feminine; plural "nasar"

7. munnur

   Mouth

   Usage

   Use it at the dentist to show the pain is inside your mouth

   Grammar Note

   Masculine; definite "munnurin"

8. vørr

   Lip

   Usage

   The wind here chaps lips badly; show this when asking a pharmacy for lip balm

   Grammar Note

   Feminine; plural "varrar" for both lips

9. tonn

   Tooth

   Usage

   Point at the sore tooth at the dentist; the plural is "tenn"

   Grammar Note

   Feminine; the plural "tenn" is formed by vowel change

10. tunga

    Tongue

    Usage

    Use it for a burn or swelling; the same word is also the fish "lemon sole"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; plural "tungur"

11. kinn

    Cheek

    Usage

    Use it to show a swollen cheek or where a toothache sits

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; plural "kinnar"

12. høka

    Chin

    Usage

    Use it if you fall and hit your chin

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; plural "høkur"

13. hálsur

    Neck

    Usage

    The neck you can see from outside; for pain when swallowing use "kvørkrar" (throat)

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; definite "hálsurin"

14. kvørkrar

    Throat

    Usage

    The inside of the throat — use this for a sore throat; the visible neck is "hálsur"

    Grammar Note

    Normally used in the plural; the singular is hardly ever heard

15. øksl

    Shoulder

    Usage

    The oblique and plural forms change the vowel to "akslar / akslir"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine. Faroese writes "ø", never "ö"

16. armur

    Arm

    Usage

    The whole arm from shoulder to wrist

    Grammar Note

    Masculine. An identically spelled adjective "armur" means "poor, wretched"

17. albogi

    Elbow

    Usage

    Easy to bang in a fall; plural "albogar"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine. Spelled differently from Icelandic "olnbogi"

18. skøvningur

    Wrist

    Usage

    Use it to show where a sprain or fracture is

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; plural "skøvningar"

19. hond

    Hand

    Usage

    From palm to fingertips; the arm itself is "armur"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; plural "hendur"

20. fingur

    Finger

    Usage

    Plural "fingrar"; use it when showing a cut or a torn nail

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; genitive "fingurs"

21. negl

    Nail

    Usage

    Covers both fingernails and toenails; used at a pharmacy or salon

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; plural "neglir". A metal nail is "naglur"

22. bringa

    Chest

    Usage

    Use it for chest pain or breathlessness — show it early, it is urgent

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; used of both people and animals

23. magi

    Stomach / belly

    Usage

    Faroese does not split the outer belly from the stomach organ — one word for both, so point at the spot

    Grammar Note

    Masculine

24. bak

    Back

    Usage

    The back as a whole; for the lower back use "lív"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter; plural "bøk"

25. lív

    Waist

    Usage

    The waistline, also used for clothing sizes. The same word also means "life"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter; definite "lívið"

26. mjødn

    Hip

    Usage

    Use it after a fall; "mjødnin fór úr lið" means the hip was dislocated

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; plural "mjadnir / mjadnar"

27. gumpur

    Buttocks

    Usage

    The everyday word — fine at a clinic when saying where an injection or a bruise goes

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; also used of an animal's rump

28. bein

    Leg (also "bone")

    Usage

    Faroese uses one word for both "leg" and "bone" — kept as one card. Point at your leg if you mean a fracture

    Grammar Note

    Neuter; the plural is also "bein". Covers the whole leg

29. knæ

    Knee

    Usage

    Easily hurt on a hike; the plural is "knø"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter; plural "knø" (an older form "kníggj" survives)

30. fótur

    Foot

    Usage

    The foot below the ankle; the whole leg is "bein"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; plural "føtur"

31. økil

    Ankle

    Usage

    Sprained ankles are common on wet rock here — show this at the doctor

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; plural "øklar"

32. hælur

    Heel

    Usage

    Use it to show where a blister is; the heel of a shoe is the same word

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; plural "hælir / hælar"

33. húð

    Skin

    Usage

    Use it for a rash, irritation or sunburn; an animal hide is "skinn"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; definite "húðin"

34. blóð

    Blood

    Usage

    Used when talking about bleeding or a blood test

    Grammar Note

    Neuter; blood pressure is "blóðtrýst"

35. hjarta

    Heart

    Usage

    Use it when explaining a condition

    Grammar Note

    Neuter; plural "hjørtu"

36. lunga

    Lung

    Usage

    Use it when explaining asthma or pneumonia; plural "lungu"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter; plural "lungu"

37. livur

    Liver

    Usage

    Used when discussing a condition or medication; also the food "liver"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine. The vowel differs from Icelandic "lifur"

38. nýra

    Kidney

    Usage

    Used when discussing a condition or dialysis; plural "nýru"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter; compounds also use the form "nýrna-"

39. tarmur

    Intestine

    Usage

    Used when discussing diarrhoea or abdominal pain; plural "tarmar"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; plural "tarmar"

40. heili

    Brain

    Usage

    Used when talking about a scan after a head injury; also used figuratively for "brains"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; definite "heilin"

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