barn
[ˈpartn̥]neuter
The Icelandic word for baby is barn. Wiktionary also lists ungbarn.
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Ways to say it
| Icelandic | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| barn | [ˈpartn̥] (narrow) [ˈpatn̥] (narrow) |
neuter |
| ungbarn | neuter |
The term refers to a very young human being.
Which one should you use?
barn is the common term for a baby or child, ungbarn is also used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word barn is a neuter noun. To say 'the baby' in the nominative case, use the definite form barnið. If you are using the dative case (often required after certain prepositions or verbs), use the form barninu to mean 'the baby'. To indicate possession by multiple children, use the genitive plural form barna for 'children's'.
Did you know?
- In Icelandic folklore, the 'hidden people' or huldufólk were said to swap human barn for changelings, a belief that influenced local naming customs for centuries.
- Because Icelandic is so conservative, the word barn has remained almost identical to the Old Norse version used by Vikings over a thousand years ago.
- In Icelandic, barn can refer to a person of any age when speaking about their relationship to a parent, meaning a 40-year-old is still their parent's barn.
Examples in context
- Ég þarf að koma barninu í rúmið.I have to put the baby to bed.This sentence shows how to use barn in the dative form to say 'the baby'.Tatoeba #5005283 by Rafeind, translation #272419 by CK
- Barnið grét.The baby cried.This sentence uses the definite form of barn to mean 'the baby'.Tatoeba #4020755 by Bergthor, translation #1098672 by cntrational
- Barnið er sofandi.The baby is asleep.Tatoeba #4020767 by Bergthor, translation #45836 by CK
- Komdu hingað, múkkur, ég vil bera þig!Come here, baby, I want to carry you!
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ólafur and Katrín are visiting a friend with a new baby.
- ÓlafurHvað er barnið að gera?What is the baby doing?
- KatrínBarnið er að sofa núna.The baby is sleeping now.
- ÓlafurHvoru leiðumst barnið eftir?Who does the baby look like?
- KatrínÉg þink barnið líkast föður sínum.I think the baby looks like its father.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries barn, ungbarn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
