Icelandic is a North Germanic language spoken predominantly in Iceland. For those hoping to learn Icelandic, understanding the vocabulary related to geography and places can be incredibly useful, especially given the country’s unique and captivating landscapes. Here, we’ll explore some essential terms that will help you describe various geographical features and locations in Icelandic.
Landfræði – Geography
This is the general term for the field of study that examines the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of the Earth.
Hver er uppáhalds landfræði staðurinn þinn á Íslandi?
Fjall – Mountain
Fjall refers to a large natural elevation of the earth’s surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level.
Ég sá snjó á toppi fjallsins í morgun.
Strönd – Beach
A sandy, pebbly, or rocky shore, especially by the ocean between the high- and low-water marks.
Við skemmtum okkur vel á ströndinni í gær.
Vatn – Lake
A large body of water surrounded by land.
Vatnið var svo kyrrt að það var eins og spegill.
Fljót – River
A large, flowing natural stream of fresh water.
Fljótið rennur niður úr fjöllunum og í gegnum dalinn.
Eyja – Island
A piece of sub-continental land surrounded by water.
Heimsæktu þú eyjuna úti í hafi þegar þú varst á Íslandi?
Gosbrunnur – Geyser
A natural hot spring that intermittently sends up fountain-like jets of water and steam into the air.
Strokkur er einn frægasti gosbrunnurinn á Íslandi.
Jökull – Glacier
A slowly moving mass or river of ice, typically found in high mountains or polar regions.
Viltu fara með mér að skoða jökulinn í næsta mánuði?
Skógur – Forest
A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth.
Það eru ekki margir stórir skógar á Íslandi, en þeir sem eru, eru fallegir.
Eldfjall – Volcano
A mountain or hill with a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are being or have been erupted from the earth’s crust.
Eldfjallinu gaus seinast árið 2010.
Gil – Ravine
A deep, narrow gorge with steep sides.
Gengum við niður í gilið til að skoða fossinn?
Drangar – Sea Stacks
Vertical columns of rock formed by wave erosion, standing in the sea near a coast.
Drangarnir eru vinsæl myndatökustaður fyrir ferðamenn.
Vík – Cove or Bay
A small, sheltered inlet or bay.
Víkin var full af litlum bátum og kajökum.
Móða – Delta
The alluvial deposit at the mouth of a river where it divides into several outlets.
Fljótið myndaði stóra móða þar sem það mætti hafinu.
Heiði – Heath or Moor
An area of open, uncultivated land with poor soil and scrub vegetation.
Heiðin var yfirbreiðslu með lágum runnum og lyngi.
Sandur – Sand (plain)
Refers to the flat outwash plains found in Iceland that are created by glacial rivers depositing sand and gravel.
Sandurinn í Skaftafell þekur stórt svæði og er tilkomumikill við Skaftafellsjökul.
Hraun – Lava field
The surface covered by the solidified flows of lava.
Ferðaðist þú um hraunið eftir eldgos?
Understanding these geographical terms will enrich your vocabulary and help you better appreciate the majestic and varied landscapes when exploring Iceland or discussing its features in Icelandic. The beauty of learning a new language is that it not only opens up communication with others but also deepens your connection to the culture and environment of the place where that language is spoken.
