While the Icelandic language may seem difficult for visitors, if you look hard enough patterns emerge. On my trip, I noticed that mountain and waterfall names sound similar and that they include the same few letters. This holds true for churches, glaciers, roads, and more. Understanding certain phrases will help to recognize what the sight or location means.
Below are 20 useful terms to break down Icelandic words:
- -á – River
- -bær – Farm, township
- -bjarg – Cliff, rock
- -fell – Mountain
- -fjörður – Fjord
- -foss – Waterfall
- -gata – Road, street
- -hamar – Crag
- -holt – Small valley, hollow
- -hraun – Lava
- -jökull – Glacier
- -jökulsá – Glacial river
- -kirkja – Church
- -lón – Lagoon
- -nes – Cape
- -reyk – Smoke
- -stapi – Bluff, crag
- -vatn – Lake, water
- -vellir – Fields
- -vík – Cove, bay
The following examples show how knowing these terms makes it easier to figure out Icelandic signs and maps.
- Hallgrímskirkja – Church named after clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson
- Kirkjufell – Church mountain
- Þingvallakirkja – Þingvellir church
- Þingvallavatn – Þingvellir lake
- Öxarárfoss – Ax river waterfall
- Hraunfossar – Lava falls
- Jökulsárlón – Glacier lagoon
- Snæfellsjökull – Snowy mountain glacier
- Snæfellsnes – Snowy mountain cape/peninsula
- Reykjavík – Smoky bay
Do you know any useful Icelandic words or phrases? Comment below!
When you returned from your trip ‘speaking a different language’ it now all makes sense with the above information. Enjoyed it!