Days of the week in Icelandic

Whether you’re planning your week in Reykjavík or simply diving into Icelandic grammar, knowing the days of the week is a practical and essential step. These words help you schedule, organize, and communicate clearly in everyday conversations.

Icelandic, a North Germanic language, has preserved many features of Old Norse. This is also reflected in the weekday names, which are a fascinating blend of Norse mythology and traditional Christian influence. Let’s explore them together.

In the table below, you’ll find the Icelandic names for the days of the week along with pronunciation audio. Practice them daily to build a strong foundation for using Icelandic in real life.

Beyond simply naming each day, you’ll often need to refer to specific times like “on Monday” or “every Friday.” The second table provides helpful expressions and related vocabulary to boost your fluency.

How Icelandic Day Names Are Formed

Most day names in Icelandic end in -dagur, which means “day” (related to English “day” and German “Tag”). The first part of the word often refers to a Norse god or celestial body. For example:

• Mánudagur – “Moon Day” (Monday)
• Þriðjudagur – “Third Day” (Tuesday)
• Föstudagur – “Fasting Day” (Friday)

Interestingly, miðvikudagur (Wednesday) literally means “mid-week day,” and laugardagur (Saturday) comes from the word for “bath,” reflecting the old tradition of bath day before Sunday rest.

Grammar Tip: Saying “On Monday” in Icelandic

To say “on Monday” or “on Friday,” you typically use the dative case with no preposition. The word mánudagur (nominative) becomes mánudegi (dative). For example:

• Ég fer í skólann á mánudegi. – “I go to school on Monday.”

Although modern Icelanders often omit á (on), it’s helpful to recognize both forms when reading or listening.

Want to Keep Expanding Your Icelandic Vocabulary?

If you enjoyed learning the days of the week in Icelandic, you might also like our other essential vocabulary topics. Explore related guides like:

• Seasons and Months in Icelandic
• Numbers in Icelandic
• Colours in Icelandic

These posts build on each other to help you steadily and confidently grow your language skills.