Language/Icelandic/Vocabulary/Feelings-and-Emotions

Icelandic Vocabulary - Feelings and Emotions

Hi Icelandic learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to express our feelings and emotions in Icelandic. Being able to express how you feel is important in any language, and Icelandic is no exception.

Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: Count to 10 & Asking for directions Að biðja um hjálp og leiðbeiningar.

Basic Feelings

Let's start with some basic feelings vocabulary that you can use on a daily basis:

Icelandic	Pronunciation	English
Gleði	['ɣlɛ:ðɪ]	Happiness
Óhamingja	['o:ha'mɪ:ŋja]	Unhappiness
Reiði	['reɪðɪ]	Anger
Þreyta	['θrɛi:ta]	Tiredness
Rof	[rɔ:v]	Calmness

Here are some examples of how to use them in context:

• Person 1: Ég er mjög glöð(a) í dag. (I'm very happy today.)
• Person 2: Hvers vegna ertu svo glöð(a)? (Why are you so happy?)

• Person 1: Ég er mjög óhamingjuð í dag. (I'm very unhappy today.)
• Person 2: Hvers vegna ertu svo óhamingjuð? (Why are you so unhappy?)

• Person 1: Ég er ekkert með þig reið(ur). (I'm not angry with you.)
• Person 2: Já, það virðist eins og þú ert reið(ur) þótt þú segir það ekki. (Yes, it seems like you're angry even though you're not saying it.)

• Person 1: Ég er orðin(n) þreytt(ur). (I'm tired now.)
• Person 2: Hefir þú verið að vinna alla daginn? (Have you been working all day?)

• Person 1: Ég er afskaplega róleg(ur). (I'm extremely calm.)
• Person 2: Það er gott að heyra. (That's good to hear.)

More Complex Emotions

It's not always easy to describe our emotions using just one word, but Icelandic has some words that can help you express your feelings more accurately:

Icelandic	Pronunciation	English
Ást	['au:st]	Love
Ástleysi	['au:stlɛsɪ]	Apathy
Hamingjusöm	['hamɪŋju'sœ:m]	Blissful
Skammtanemi	['skamtatnɛ:mɪ]	Envy
Vonbrigði	['vɔnbrɪgðɪ]	Disappointment

Let's see some examples of how these words can be used in context:

• Person 1: Ég er djúplega í ást [1]. (I'm deeply in love.)
• Person 2: Hvernig gengur ástin ykkar? (How's your love life going?)

• Person 1: Ég er með mikinn ástleysi. (I'm feeling very apathetic.)
• Person 2: Af hverju trúirðu að það sé svo? (Why do you think that's the case?)

• Person 1: Ég er svo hamingjusöm. (I'm so blissful.)
• Person 2: Hvernig kemur það? (How come?)

• Person 1: Ég er með skammtanemi á vini mínum. (I'm envious of my friend.)
• Person 2: Af hverju ertu með skammtanemi á honum/henni? (Why are you envious of him/her?)

• Person 1: Ég var mjög vonbrigðin(n) þegar ég fékk ekki þetta starf. (I was very disappointed when I didn't get this job.)
• Person 2: Það er leiðinlegt. En þú verður að halda áfram að leita. (That's unfortunate. But you have to keep looking.)

Using Emotions in Context

Now that you have learned some new vocabulary, let's put it into context. Here is a dialogue between two friends:

• Person 1: Hversu átt þú við nýju starfið þitt? (How do you feel about your new job?)
• Person 2: Það hefur verið erfitt. Ég er mjög þreytt(ur) þegar ég kem heim. (It's been tough. I'm very tired when I come home.)
• Person 1: Hversu mikið ertu að læra? (How much are you learning?)
• Person 2: Mjög mikið. En ég er ennþá óviss(a) um hvernig ég á að gera hlutina rétt. (A lot. But I'm still unsure about how to do things right.)
• Person 1: Það er algjört vonbrigði, ég vonaði að þú myndir vera með betri vonum. (That's a complete disappointment. I was hoping you'd have better prospects.)
• Person 2: Ég veit. En ég vona að þetta verði betra með tímanum. (I know. But I hope it gets better with time.)

To improve your Icelandic Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Sources

• Icelandic lessons: Feelings and emotions

Other Lessons

• Farewell Kveðjur
• Food
• asking for help
• Introduce yourself Að kynna þig
• Days of the Week
• Emergency words
• Common words and Greetings
• Holiday Wishes Phrases
• Greetings
• Hotel Restaurant veitingastaðir og ferðamannafrasar