“Thank You” in Icelandic | Say Takk Like a Local

Why learn to say “thank you” in Icelandic?

Learning to say “thank you” in Icelandic is one of the easiest ways to show respect and appreciation while traveling in Iceland. It's also a great starting point for building your Icelandic vocabulary and learning some basic Icelandic phrases.

Whether you’re planning a trip, hosting an Icelandic friend, or connecting with family, saying “thank you” properly can go a long way. Read on to master this essential phrase and show gratitude confidently!

The most common way to say “thank you” in Icelandic

The most common way to say thank you in Icelandic is:

Takk

This is the Icelandic equivalent of a simple "thanks." For a slightly more polite and formal version, use:

Takk fyrir

This translates to "thanks for that" or simply "thank you." With these two phrases, you can express your gratitude in almost any situation. Now, let’s ensure you know how to pronounce them and explore some other ways to say thanks.  

How to pronounce “thank you” in Icelandic

Wondering about the pronunciation of thank you in Icelandic? We’ve got you covered:

• Takk: sounds like "tahk"‍


• Fyrir: sounds like "FEE-rir" or "FIR-rir" depending on region or speed of speech

Try saying them together slowly: Takk fyrir → "tahk fih-rir"

Practice out loud to get used to the sound. It helps to record yourself and compare your pronunciation with that of native speakers. You can hear native recordings of this word and fine-tune your pronunciation with the Icelandic course in Drops’ language learning app. 
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Other ways to say “thank you” in Icelandic

If you’re an intermediate learner looking to expand your vocabulary or want to impress the locals, you can go beyond "takk" and "takk fyrir" with these variations:

• Kærar þakkir: Many thanks / Heartfelt thanks (common)

• Þakka þér fyrir: I thank you (formal)

• Bestu þakkir: Best thanks / Sincere thanks (emails)

These are slightly more advanced but worth learning, especially if you need to write more formal emails in Icelandic or want to make a strong first impression.

Formal vs. informal ways to say “thank you”

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Compared to some other languages like French and Spanish, Icelandic doesn’t change dramatically between formal and informal situations. This is great news for language learners, as it saves you from having to learn too many variations or changing pronouns.

That being said, you may want to expand on “thank you” in Icelandic informal by using some of the fuller expressions we looked at earlier:

• Informal: Takk, Takk fyrir (used with friends, waiters, shopkeepers)
• Formal: Kærar þakkir, Þakka þér fyrir (used in speeches, letters, professional settings)

Although when in doubt, Takk fyrir is always polite and appropriate.

Useful Icelandic phrases that include “takk”

Feeling confident and eager to take your language skills further? Here are a few useful Icelandic phrases that specify what you’re thanking the person for. These are perfect for restaurant visits, friendly encounters, and thanking helpful locals: 

• Takk fyrir matinn: Thank you for the food

• Takk fyrir komuna: Thanks for coming

• Takk fyrir síðast: Thanks for last time (used after a visit or shared experience)

• Takk fyrir hjálpina: Thanks for the help

These phrases show cultural appreciation and can make conversations smoother.

Tips for using “thank you” in real conversations

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There’s more to learning a language than memorising words and grammar rules. Speaking like a local also involves practicing pronunciation and rhythm, understanding cultural norms, and getting familiar with common body language.

With that in mind, here are some tips for using “thank you” in real conversations: 

• Use takk in casual interactions.
• Add fyrir to make it more polite.
• Use body language like eye contact and a smile.
• Repeat phrases out loud when learning to help memorize.
• Practice often with apps like Drops or with proficient speakers. 

Planning a trip? Learn Icelandic before you travel to make the most of your journey!

Icelandic greetings and polite expressions

For the high achievers out there, we’ve collected some basic Icelandic greetings to add to the friendly impression. Here are a few basics:

• Hello: Halló (hah-loh) or Hæ (hi)

• Good morning: Góðan daginn (GOH-than DAH-yin)

• Good evening: Gott kvöld (goht kvuhld)

• Please: Icelandic has no direct word for "please," politeness is mainly conveyed through tone and phrasing.
  The word vinsamlegast is often used in requests, which roughly translates to "kindly".

If you’ve made it this far, you now know lots of ways to say “thank you” in Icelandic and even learned some basic greetings. These few phrases are already enough to make a great impression on Icelandic locals or friends.

Want to continue growing your skills and vocabulary? Explore our Icelandic language resources and download Drops for free to continue your learning journey with fun, bite-sized language lessons!

Get your questions answered

1. How do you pronounce thank you in Icelandic?

Takk is pronounced "tahk" and takk fyrir is "tahk fih-rir."

2. What does "takk fyrir" mean?

It means "thank you" or literally "thanks for that."

3. How do you say basic phrases in Icelandic?

Some basics include:

• Hello: Hæ or Halló
• Thank you: Takk or Takk fyrir
• Goodbye: Bless‍

4. Is there an Icelandic word for "please"?

There’s no exact Icelandic word for "please." Politeness is conveyed by tone, formality, and phrasing like Viltu (would you...?) and vinsamlegast (kindly).