góðan dag
[ˈkouːðan ˈtaːɣ]
The Icelandic phrase for "good day" is góðan dag.
Góðan dag is a greeting used between sunrise and sunset. Unlike the English "Good day," which can function as a formal farewell, the Icelandic "Góðan dag" is primarily a greeting used upon arrival.
Meaning: greeting between sunrise and sunset (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the accusative masculine adjective góðan (good) and the accusative masculine noun dag (day).
How does it change in a sentence?
The definite form góðan daginn is frequently used in place of the indefinite góðan dag when greeting someone.
Did you know?
- Because Iceland has 'midnight sun' in summer, the window for saying góðan dag can technically extend through the entire night in the far north.
- In very formal settings, such as addressing a high official, góðan dag may be expanded to góðan daginn til yðar, which uses an archaic formal pronoun.
- The accusative case used in góðan dag is a remnant of an ancient greeting style where the speaker is essentially wishing 'I wish you a good day'.
Examples in context
- Góðan dag!Good day!This example shows a simple greeting using góðan dag.Tatoeba #2063646 by Libor, translation #855284 by pirytm
- Af hverju segir maður „góðan daginn“ þegar dagurinn er ekki góður?Why does one say "Good day" when the day is not good?This sentence uses góðan dag to ask why the phrase is used even when a day is not pleasant.Tatoeba #478531 by Swift, translation #1781 by Zifre
- Góðan daginn, ég er aðeins að skoða kortið.Good day, I'm just looking at the map.
- Góðan dag, hvernig má ég þér hjálpa?Good day, how can I assist you?
- Góðan daginn, hvernig hefur þú það?Good day, how are you doing?
- Góðan dag, hvað er að frétta?Good day, what's new?
- Góðan dag, hvernig hefur þú það?Good day, how are you?
Example conversation
Guðrún and Sigurður meet on the street during the day.
- GuðrúnGóðan dag, Sigurður!Good day, Sigurður!
- SigurðurGóðan dag, Guðrún!Good day, Guðrún!
- GuðrúnHvað segir sig?How are things?
- SigurðurAllt gott, takk.Everything is good, thanks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good day” translations and entries góðan dag, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
