Language/Icelandic/Vocabulary/Hobbies-and-Interests
Icelandic is a language spoken by approximately 360,000 people mostly in Iceland. As a North Germanic language, Icelandic shares many similarities with other Scandinavian languages such as Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish. In this lesson, we will focus on vocabulary related to hobbies and interests in Icelandic. These topics are important to learn as they can help you to connect with locals, make friends, and enjoy your time in Iceland.
Popular Sports
Iceland is known for its strong sports culture and has produced many successful athletes in various sports including football (soccer), handball, and basketball. Here are some of the most popular sports in Iceland:
Football
Football is the most popular sport in Iceland. The Icelandic national football team has experienced great success in recent years, including qualifying for the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Icelandic football is known for its physicality and teamwork.
| Icelandic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| fótbolti | [ˈfouːtˌpɔltɪ] | Football |
- Ég elska að spila fótbolta. (I love to play football.)
Handball
Handball is another popular sport in Iceland. The Icelandic men's national handball team has won silver medals at both the Olympic Games and the World Championships, and the women's team has won bronze medals at the World Championships. Icelandic handball is known for its fast pace and physical play.
| Icelandic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| handbolti | [ˈhantˌpɔltɪ] | Handball |
- Á ég að kaupa nýjan handboltann? (Should I buy a new handball?)
Basketball
Basketball is gaining popularity in Iceland, especially among young players. The Icelandic basketball league features both men's and women's teams, and the national teams have made appearances in international competitions.
| Icelandic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| körfubolti | [ˈkœr̥(ː)fʏˌpɔltɪ] | Basketball |
- Mig langar til að spila körfubolta. (I want to play basketball.)
Musical Instruments
Music has played an important role in Icelandic culture for centuries, from ancient folk songs to modern pop and rock music. Learning to play a musical instrument can be a rewarding hobby and can also help you connect with the local music scene in Iceland. Here are some common musical instruments in Icelandic:
Guitar
The guitar is a popular instrument in Icelandic music. Many Icelandic musicians, such as Björk and Ásgeir, have incorporated guitar into their music.
| Icelandic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| gítar | [ˈgiːtʰar] | Guitar |
- Ég vil læra að spila á gítar. (I want to learn to play the guitar.)
Piano
The piano is another popular instrument in Icelandic music. Many Icelanders take piano lessons as children and continue to play as adults.
| Icelandic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| píanó | [ˈpʰiaˌnou] | Piano |
- Ég hef verið að spila á píanó í fjóra ár. (I have been playing the piano for four years.)
Drums
Drums are an essential part of many genres of Icelandic music, including rock and pop.
| Icelandic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| trommur | [ˈtrɔmːʏr] | Drums |
- Ég er að læra að spila á trommur. (I am learning to play the drums.)
Visual Arts
Iceland has a vibrant visual arts scene, and many Icelanders enjoy creating art as a hobby. Here are some common terms related to visual arts in Icelandic:
Painting
Painting is a popular hobby in Iceland, and many Icelanders take art classes to improve their skills.
| Icelandic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| málning | [ˈmauːlˌnaɪŋ] | Painting |
- Ég er að mála mynd af fjöllum. (I am painting a picture of mountains.)
Drawing
Drawing is another popular visual art in Iceland. Many Icelanders enjoy drawing as a way to express their creativity.
| Icelandic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| teikning | [ˈtʰeiˌcniŋ] | Drawing |
- Hann er mjög góður í að teikna. (He is very good at drawing.)
Photography
Photography is a popular visual art in Iceland, and many Icelanders enjoy taking photos of the beautiful landscapes and natural phenomena in the country.
| Icelandic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ljósmyndun | [ˈljousˌmɪntʏn] | Photography |
- Ég elska að taka myndir af dýrum. (I love taking pictures of animals.)
In conclusion, hobbies and interests are important topics to learn when studying a new language. They can help you to connect with locals, make friends, and enjoy your time in the country. In this lesson, we have covered some common vocabulary related to popular hobbies and interests in Icelandic, including sports, music, and visual arts. By learning these terms, you will be one step closer to conversing with Icelanders about shared interests and passions.