tungumál
[ˈtʰuŋkʏˌmauːl]neuter
The English word 'language' is translated to Icelandic as tungumál. Wiktionary also lists mál and tunga.
Meaning: body of words used as a form of communication (noun)
Ways to say it
| Icelandic | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tungumál | [ˈtʰuŋkʏˌmauːl] (narrow) | neuter |
| mál | [ˈmauːl] (narrow) | neuter |
| tunga | [ˈtʰuŋka] (narrow) | feminine |
The term is used to refer to a body of words used as a form of communication.
What does it mean word for word?
The word tungumál is a compound of tunga, which means 'tongue' and mál, which means 'speech' or 'language'.
Which one should you use?
tungumál refers specifically to a spoken language. In contrast, mál can refer to language or speech in a more general sense or it can refer to a grammatical case. The word tunga means 'tongue'.
How does it change in a sentence?
tungumál is a neuter noun. Its genitive singular form is tungumáls, meaning 'of the language'. The definite plural form is tungumálin, meaning 'the languages'.
Did you know?
- The word mál shares a common ancestor with the English word 'meal'. Both derive from a root meaning 'to measure', referring to a measured portion of food or a measured period of time.
- Icelandic has a strong tradition of linguistic purism. Instead of adopting foreign words for new concepts, the government creates new words using existing Icelandic roots like mál.
- The word mál is a homonym in Icelandic. Depending on the context, it can mean 'language', 'a speech', 'a legal case' or 'a measurement'.
Examples in context
- Eitt tungumál er aldrei nóg.One language is never enough.This sentence is useful for expressing that one language is never enough using tungumál.Tatoeba #2864498 by arnarsmata, translation #614312 by Eldad
- Ég tala ekki tungumálið þitt.I don't speak your language.This sentence is useful for saying you do not speak someone's language using tungumál.Tatoeba #4022071 by Bergthor, translation #2276207 by CK
- Hvaða tungumál tala þau í Kóreu?What language do they speak in Korea?This sentence is useful for asking what language is spoken in Korea using tungumál.Tatoeba #10963603 by nipbud, translation #1196994 by CN
- Ég hef áhuga á að læra nýtt tungumál.I am interested in learning a new language.
- Hann talar fjórar tungumál.He speaks four languages.
- Ég vil læra nýtt tungumál.I want to learn a new language.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gunnar and Katrín are discussing their hobbies.
- GunnarEr þetta erfilt tungumál?Is this a difficult language?
- KatrínJá, en það er mjög fallegt.Yes, but it is very beautiful.
- GunnarHvert tungumál viltu læra næst?Which language do you want to learn next?
- KatrínÉg vil læra spanska, Gunnar.I want to learn Spanish, Gunnar.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “language” translations and entries tungumál, mál, tunga, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mál, tunga, tungumál, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
