Learning Icelandic can be both exciting and challenging, especially when you encounter words and phrases that appear similar but have different meanings and uses. Two such words are vill and viltu. While both are related to desires or requests, they serve different grammatical purposes. This article will delve into the distinctions between these two words to help you understand when and how to use them correctly.

Understanding vill

Vill is derived from the verb vilja, which means “to want” or “to wish.” In Icelandic, vill is the first and third-person singular present tense form of vilja. It is used to express a wish, desire, or preference.

vilja – to want, to wish
Ég vil fara í bíó. (I want to go to the cinema.)

vill – wants, wishes (1st and 3rd person singular present tense of vilja)
Hann vill fá kaffi. (He wants to have coffee.)

When using vill, it is often paired with an infinitive verb to indicate what the subject wants to do. For example, “Ég vil fara” means “I want to go.”

Common Expressions with vill

vill can be used in various contexts to express different kinds of desires or wishes. Here are some common expressions:

Ég vill – I want
Ég vill læra íslensku. (I want to learn Icelandic.)

Hann vill – He wants
Hann vill borða pizzu í kvöld. (He wants to eat pizza tonight.)

Hún vill – She wants
Hún vill fara í ferðalag. (She wants to go on a trip.)

Notice that vill often follows the subject (Ég, Hann, Hún) and is followed by another verb in the infinitive form to complete the sentence.

Understanding viltu

Viltu is a contraction of vilt þú, which translates to “do you want” in English. It is a more colloquial way of asking someone if they want something or if they want to do something. This form is commonly used in everyday conversations and informal settings.

viltu – do you want (contraction of vilt þú)
Viltu koma með mér? (Do you want to come with me?)

vilt þú – do you want (full form)
Vilt þú lesa bókina? (Do you want to read the book?)

When using viltu, it is usually followed by an infinitive verb or a noun to indicate what you are asking the person if they want.

Common Expressions with viltu

viltu can be used in a variety of questions to ask someone about their preferences or desires. Here are some common expressions:

Viltu – Do you want
Viltu fara út? (Do you want to go out?)

Viltu borða – Do you want to eat
Viltu borða eitthvað? (Do you want to eat something?)

Viltu koma – Do you want to come
Viltu koma í kvöldmat? (Do you want to come for dinner?)

Notice that viltu is often followed by an infinitive verb or a noun to complete the question.

Key Differences Between vill and viltu

While both vill and viltu are related to desires and wants, their grammatical roles and contexts of use are different. Here are the key differences:

1. **Grammatical Role**: vill is used for expressing one’s own wishes or desires in the first and third person singular, while viltu is used to ask someone else about their desires or preferences in the second person singular.

2. **Formality**: viltu is more colloquial and commonly used in spoken Icelandic, whereas vill can be used in both spoken and written forms.

3. **Sentence Structure**: vill is often followed by an infinitive verb to indicate what the subject wants to do. viltu is also followed by an infinitive verb or a noun, but it is used to form a question.

Practice Sentences

To help you get a better grasp of using vill and viltu, here are some practice sentences:

vill – wants, wishes
Ég vill læra nýtt tungumál. (I want to learn a new language.)

viltu – do you want
Viltu koma í bíó? (Do you want to go to the cinema?)

vill – wants, wishes
Hún vill kaupa nýjan bíl. (She wants to buy a new car.)

viltu – do you want
Viltu drekka kaffi? (Do you want to drink coffee?)

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between vill and viltu is crucial for mastering Icelandic. While both words relate to desires and wants, they serve different grammatical roles and are used in different contexts. Remember that vill is used for expressing one’s own wishes or desires in the first and third person singular, while viltu is used to ask someone else about their desires or preferences in the second person singular.

By practicing with the example sentences and incorporating these words into your daily conversations, you’ll become more comfortable with their usage. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find yourself using vill and viltu with ease and confidence. Happy learning!