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Icelandic is supposed to be one of the hardest languages in the world. I deconstruct Icelandic compound words and illustrate them.

Many of these words are very literal, yet somehow poetic at the same time. Other times they can be rather random and a little humorous!

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#1

Penguin (Mörgæs) = Fat + Goose

Penguin (Mörgæs) = Fat + Goose

Mör (fat) + Gæs (goose) = Mörgæs (Penguin)

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#2

Zoo (Dýragarður) = Animal + Garden

Zoo (Dýragarður) = Animal + Garden

Dýr (animal) + Garður (garden) = Dýragarður (zoo)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This list is so ignorant towards the english words, so I shall have to go through the entire thing. Zoo is short for "Zoological Gardens" "Garð" and "Garden" is just an enclosure, I do believe it can be used for a "fence" in ISL. In the other scandi countries it can mean a "farm".

#3

Raccoon (Þvottabjörn) = Washing + Bear

Raccoon (Þvottabjörn) = Washing + Bear

Þvottur (washing) + Björn (bear) = Þvottabjörn (raccoon)

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#4

Echo (Bergmal) = Rock + Language

Echo (Bergmal) = Rock + Language

Berg (rock) + Mál (language) = Bergmal (echo)

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#5

Planet (Reikistjarna) = To Wander + Star

Planet (Reikistjarna) = To Wander + Star

Að reika (to wander) + stjarna (star) = Reikistjarna (planet)

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#6

Wedding (Brúðkaup) = Bride + To Buy

Wedding (Brúðkaup) = Bride + To Buy

Brúður (bride) + Að Kaupa (to buy) = Brúðkaup (wedding)

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#7

Hippopotamus (Flóðhestur) = Flood + Horse

Hippopotamus (Flóðhestur) = Flood + Horse

Flóð (flood) + Hestur (horse) = Flóðhestur (hippopotamus)

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Jonny Rose
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From Wikipedia: The Latin word "hippopotamus" is derived from the ancient Greek ἱπποπόταμος, hippopótamos, from ἵππος, híppos, "horse", and ποταμός, potamós, "river", meaning "horse of the river".

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#8

Rainbow (Regnbogi) = Rain + Arch

Rainbow (Regnbogi) = Rain + Arch

Regn (rain) + Bogi (arch) = Regnbogi (rainbow)

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#9

Arm (Handleggur) = Hand + Leg

Arm (Handleggur) = Hand + Leg

Hand (hand) + Leggur (Leg) = Handleggur (arm)

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#10

Placenta (Legkaka) = Womb + Cake

Placenta (Legkaka) = Womb + Cake

Leg (womb) + Kaka (cake) = Legkaka (placenta)

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#11

Quotation Marks (Gæsalappir) = Goose + Feet

Quotation Marks (Gæsalappir) = Goose + Feet

Gæs (goose) + Lappir (feet) = Gæsalappir (quotation marks)

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#12

Nice Weather To Look At Through The Window (Gluggaveður) = Window + Weather

Nice Weather To Look At Through The Window (Gluggaveður) = Window + Weather

Gluggi (window) + Veður (weather) = Gluggaveður is weather that's nice to look through a window, but not so nice to be in. Like when it looks lovely and sunny but then you go outside and it's actually blistering cold!

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RebekkaElisabetar
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice weather to look at through the window? Window weather actually means that the weather looks nice through a window and only through a window (as it might for example be bone chillingly cold outside, but sunny)

#13

Match (Eldspýta) = Fire + Piece Of Wood

Match (Eldspýta) = Fire + Piece Of Wood

Eldur (fire) + Spýta (piece of wood) = Eldspýta (match)

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#14

Bra (Brjóstahöld) = Breast + To Hold

Bra (Brjóstahöld) = Breast + To Hold

Brjóst (breast) + Að halda (to hold) = Brjóstahöld (bra)

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#15

Inspiration (Innblástur) = Inn + Breeze

Inspiration (Innblástur) = Inn + Breeze

Inn (inside/into) + Blástur (breeze) = Innblástur (inspiration)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm almost expiring from this experience. Inspiration. In. Spiration. Breath out, breath in. Respirate.

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#16

Skeleton (Beinagrind) = Bone + Frame/structure

Skeleton (Beinagrind) = Bone + Frame/structure

Bein (bone) + Grind (frame/structure) = Beinagrind (skeleton)

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#17

Turtle (skjaldbaka) = Shield + Back

Turtle (skjaldbaka) = Shield + Back

Skjöldur (shield) + Bak (back) = Skjaldbaka (turtle)

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#18

Idea (Hugmynd) = Mind + Picture

Idea (Hugmynd) = Mind + Picture

Hugur (mind) + mind (picture) = Hugmynd (idea)

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#19

Cello (Knéfiðla) = Knee + Violin

Cello (Knéfiðla) = Knee + Violin

Kné (knee) + Fiðla (violin) = Knéfiðla (cello)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cello is quite the crazy english word. They took the diminutive ending of the italian word and skipped the original word all together. "Viola", violin. "Violone" big violin. "Violoncello" small big violin.

#20

In Love (Ástfanginn) = Love + Captured

In Love (Ástfanginn) = Love + Captured

Ást (love) + Fanginn (captured) = Ástfanginn (in love)

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#21

Aquarium (Fiskabúr) = Fish + Cage

Aquarium (Fiskabúr) = Fish + Cage

Fiskur (fish) + Búr (cage) = Fiskabúr (aquarium)

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ChristianWehde
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same as in german - what else is it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxIi9bob3X4

#22

Volcano (Eldfjall) = Fire + Mountain

Volcano (Eldfjall) = Fire + Mountain

Eldur (fire) + Fjall (mountain) = Eldfjall (volcano)

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#23

Earring (Eyrnalokkur) = Ear + Curl

Earring (Eyrnalokkur) = Ear + Curl

Eyra (ear) + Lokkur (lock of hair/curl) = Eyrnalokkur (earring)

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#24

Avalanche (Snjóflóð) = Snow + Flood

Avalanche (Snjóflóð) = Snow + Flood

Snjór (snow) + Flóð (flood) = Snjóflóð (avalanche)

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#25

Lightbulb (Ljósapera) = Light + Pear

Lightbulb (Ljósapera) = Light + Pear

Ljós (light) + Pera (pear) = Ljósapera (lightbulb)

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#26

Computer (Tölva) = Number + Prophetess

Computer (Tölva) = Number + Prophetess

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IðunnGrétarsdóttir
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually a portmanteau/blend word of the Icelandic words for number/s (tala/tölur) and prophetess (völva), not a compound word like the rest

#27

Honey Bee (Hunangsfluga) = Honey + Fly

Honey Bee (Hunangsfluga) = Honey + Fly

Hunang (honey) + Fluga (fly) = Hunangsfluga (honey bee)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, you icelanders wouldn't know a gnat from a dragonfly. The rest of scandinavia kept this germanic-norse word better than you, for once.

#28

Customer (Viðskiptavinur) = Business + Friend

Customer (Viðskiptavinur) = Business + Friend

Viðskipti (business) + Vinur (friend) = Viðskiptavinur (customer)

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#29

Chickpeas (Kjúklingabaunir) = Chicken + Beans

Chickpeas (Kjúklingabaunir) = Chicken + Beans

Kjúklingur (chicken) + Baunir (beans) = Kjúklingabaunir (chickpeas)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the mistranslations, probably quite recent. It has nothing to do with chickens. Chickpea, from latin Cicer, pea. So Peapea. Cicer was also slang for testicle.

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#30

Music (Tónlist) = Tone + Art

Music (Tónlist) = Tone + Art

Tón (tone) + List (art) = Tónlist (music)

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#31

Cauliflower (Blómkál) = Flower + Cabbage

Cauliflower (Blómkál) = Flower + Cabbage

Blóm (flower) + Kál (cabbage) = Blómkál (cauliflower)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made the loudest facepalm. What do you suppose "Caul" in Cauliflower is?

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#32

Handshake (Handaband) = Hand + String/yarn

Handshake (Handaband) = Hand + String/yarn

Hönd (hand) + Band (string/yarn) = Handaband (handshake)

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#33

Computer (Tölva) = Number + Prophetess

Computer (Tölva) = Number + Prophetess

Tala (number) + Völva (prophetess) = Tölva (computer)

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#34

Constellation (Stjörnumerki) = Star + Sign

Constellation (Stjörnumerki) = Star + Sign

Stjarna (star) + Merki (sign) = Stjörnumerki (constellation)

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#35

Saliva (Munnvatn) = Mouth + Water

Saliva (Munnvatn) = Mouth + Water

Munnur (mouth) + Vatn (water) = Munnvatn (saliva)

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#36

Midwife (Ljósmóðir) = Light + Mother

Midwife (Ljósmóðir) = Light + Mother

Ljós (light) + Móðir (mother) = Ljósmóðir (midwife)

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#37

Scallop (Hörpuskel) = Harp + Shell

Scallop (Hörpuskel) = Harp + Shell

Harpa (harp) + Skel (shell) = Hörpuskel (scallop)

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#38

Rocket (Eldflaug) = Fire + To Fly

Rocket (Eldflaug) = Fire + To Fly

Eldur (fire) + Að fljúga (to fly) = Eldflaug (rocket)

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#39

Donut (Kleinuhringur) = Icelandic Fried Pastry + Circle

Donut (Kleinuhringur) = Icelandic Fried Pastry + Circle

Kleina (Icelandic fried pastry) + Hringur (circle) = Kleinuhringur (donut)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know, it probably didn't have a hole to start with, hence the "nut" part of the name. But if you wanted a larger deepfried cake it made sense to add the hole for even cooking. This word tastes very recent. Kleinur is very recent, and so is the quality of flour you need.

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#40

Cookie (Smákaka) = Small + Cake

Cookie (Smákaka) = Small + Cake

Smár (small) + Kaka (cake) = Smákaka (cookie)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With the diminutive "ie", this is the exact same word. Cook(ie), cake(small).

#41

Cell Phone (Farsími) = To Go + Telephone

Cell Phone (Farsími) = To Go + Telephone

Að fara (to go) + Sími (telephone) = Farsími (cell phone)

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#42

Grape (Vínber) = Wine + Berry

Grape (Vínber) = Wine + Berry

Vín (wine) + Ber (berry) = Vínber (grape)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Used to be the same in old english until 1066 when the normans came, grappling their sword in one hand and gripping their bunches of berries in the other.

#43

Graffiti (Veggjakrot) = Wall + Scribble

Graffiti (Veggjakrot) = Wall + Scribble

Veggur (wall) + Krot (scribble) = Veggjakrot (graffiti)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Graffiti, scribblings. The term was coined during the excavation of Pompeii, so literally "wall scribbles/drawings"

#44

Internet (Veraldarvefurinn) = World + Web

Internet (Veraldarvefurinn) = World + Web

Veröld (world) + Vefur (web) = Veraldarvefurinn (Internet)

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#45

Dinner (Kvöldmat) = Evening + Food

Dinner (Kvöldmat) = Evening + Food

Kvöld (evening) + Matur (food) = Kvöldmat (dinner)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mealtimes are a mess in all sorts of languages. "Dinner" even means to break fast.

#46

Furniture (Húsgögn) = House + Data

Furniture (Húsgögn) = House + Data

Hús (house) + Gögn (data) = Húsgögn (furniture)

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RebekkaElisabetar
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

gögn is not meaning data there.. it´s a much older than that and comes from the word gagn (singular : Husgagn) and derives from something being "of use" So something that is of use within the house would be the translation here.

#47

Breakfast Cereal (Morgunkorn) = Morning + Grain

Breakfast Cereal (Morgunkorn) = Morning + Grain

Morgun (morning) + Korn (grain) = Morgunkorn (breakfast cereal)

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#48

Pirate (Sjóræningi) = Sea + Robber

Pirate (Sjóræningi) = Sea + Robber

Sjór (sea) + Ræningi (robber) = Sjóræningi (pirate)

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#49

Journalist (Blaðamaður) = Page/newspaper + Man

Journalist (Blaðamaður) = Page/newspaper + Man

Blað (page/newspaper) + Maður (man) = Blaðamaður (journalist)

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#50

Reflection (Spegilmynd) = Mirror + Picture

Reflection (Spegilmynd) = Mirror + Picture

Spegill (mirror) + Mynd (picture) = Spegilmynd (reflection)

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#51

Necropants (Nábrók) = Corpse + Pants

Necropants (Nábrók) = Corpse + Pants

Nár (corpse) + Brók (pants) = Nábrók (necropants)

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#52

Omelet (Eggjakaka) = Egg + Cake

Omelet (Eggjakaka) = Egg + Cake

Egg (egg) + Kaka (cake) = Eggjakaka (omelet)

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#53

Airplane (Flugvél) = Flight + Machine

Airplane (Flugvél) = Flight + Machine

Flug (flight) + Vél (machine) = Flugvél (airplane)

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#54

Eggplant (Eggaldin) = Egg + Fruit

Eggplant (Eggaldin) = Egg + Fruit

Egg (egg) + Aldin (fruit) = Eggaldin (eggplant)

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#55

Menu (Matseðill) = Food + Note/leaflet

Menu (Matseðill) = Food + Note/leaflet

Matur (food) + Seðill (note/leaflet) = Matseðill (menu)

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#56

Cafe (Kaffihús) = Coffee + House

Cafe (Kaffihús) = Coffee + House

Kaffi (coffee) + Hús (house) = Kaffihús (cafe)

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#57

Skateboard (Hjólabretti) = To Cycle + Board

Skateboard (Hjólabretti) = To Cycle + Board

Að hjóla (to cycle) + Bretti (board) = Hjólabretti (skateboard)

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RebekkaElisabetar
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To cycle? Was this done on google translate? Hjól means wheel, this is a wheel board. "að hjóla" is the term to cycle, but would never be used as a noun. As Reiðhjól refers to Riding wheel (bycicle)

#58

Panorama Or Openmindedness (Víðsýni) = Wide + View

Panorama Or Openmindedness (Víðsýni) = Wide + View

Við (wide) + Sýn (view) = Víðsýni can mean panorama or openmindedness

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#59

Refrigerator (Ísskápur) = Ice + Closet

Refrigerator (Ísskápur) = Ice + Closet

Ís (ice) + Skápur (closet) = Ísskápur (refrigerator)

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Steffen Dahlberg
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It used to be just that, before electricity. In english they called it an "icebox". I guess the name stuck.

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#60

Pancake (Pönnukaka) = Pan + Cake

Pancake (Pönnukaka) = Pan + Cake

Panna (pan) + Kaka (cake) = Pönnukaka (pancake)

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#61

Toothpaste (Tannkrem) = Tooth + Cream

Toothpaste (Tannkrem) = Tooth + Cream

Tönn (tooth) + Krem (cream) = Tannkrem (toothpaste)

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