Learning Icelandic can be a rewarding challenge, filled with the discovery of a language that can trace its roots back to old Norse, the language of the Vikings. Getting to grips with Icelandic verbs is crucial since they form the backbone of most sentences. Here, we will explore some essential Icelandic verbs that will help establish a solid foundation for your language skills.

Að vera means “to be.” It is an irregular verb and one of the most important verbs in Icelandic as it’s used to describe existence, identity, and state of being.

Ég er læknir. (I am a doctor.)

Að hafa translates to “to have.” This verb is used to express possession, relationships, and various other states of being.

Hann hefur bók. (He has a book.)

Að gera means “to do” or “to make.” It’s an adaptable verb that often pops up in daily conversation and in various contexts.

Hvað ertu að gera? (What are you doing?)

Að fara translates to “to go.” This indicates movement or travel from one place to another, and you’ll use it often for your future travel plans or outings.

Við förum til Íslands. (We are going to Iceland.)

Að koma means “to come.” It’s another fundamental verb relating to movement, crucial for speaking about arrivals or inviting someone over.

Kemur þú með mér? (Are you coming with me?)

Að sjá signifies “to see.” Perceptual in nature, it’s a verb you’ll need for describing what you observe or experience.

Ég sé hval. (I see a whale.)

Að heyra translates to “to hear.” It’s similarly sensory as “að sjá” and relates to sounds and listening.

Heyrir þú þetta lag? (Do you hear this song?)

Að borða means “to eat.” Essential for discussing meals, food, and dining, it’s a verb that will help you navigate Icelandic cuisine.

Við borðum fisk til kvöldverðar. (We are eating fish for dinner.)

Að drekka translates to “to drink.” It complements “að borða” and is another fundamental verb for discussing consumables.

Hann drekkur kaffi á hverjum morgni. (He drinks coffee every morning.)

Að læra means “to learn.” Whether it’s the language or Icelandic history, you’ll find this verb very useful.

Ég er að læra íslensku. (I am learning Icelandic.)

Að vinna translates to “to work.” This verb is associated with profession, labor, and effort.

Hvar vinnur þú? (Where do you work?)

Að lesa means “to read.” It could be about reading a book or any form of text – essential for students and book lovers.

Hún les íslensku bókina. (She is reading the Icelandic book.)

Að skrifa translates to “to write.” This is how you express creating written content, be it letters, books, or texts.

Ég skrifa bréf til vinar míns. (I am writing a letter to my friend.)

Að tala means “to speak” or “to talk.” Communicative and necessary, this verb forms the basis for any conversation.

Talar þú íslensku? (Do you speak Icelandic?)

Understanding these basic Icelandic verbs and practicing them within sentences will help you communicate more effectively. Remember, like most languages, Icelandic has its peculiarities with verb conjugations and irregularities, so continuous practice and exposure to the language in context will serve you well. Gangi þér vel (good luck) with your Icelandic learning journey!