gleðileg jól
[ˈklɛːðɪˌlɛːɣ ˈjouːl]
gleðileg jól is the Icelandic way to say merry Christmas.
This phrase is the standard way to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Iceland, used both in speech and in written cards.
Meaning: good wishes at Christmas time (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective gleðileg meaning 'merry' or 'happy' and the noun jól meaning 'Christmas'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective gleðileg is in the neuter plural form to agree with the neuter plural noun jól.
Did you know?
- Icelanders often associate jól with the jólakötturinn, a terrifying Yule Cat that eats people who do not receive new clothes for Christmas.
- A common tradition during jól is the jólabókaflóð or Yule Book Flood, where the majority of books in Iceland are published and gifted in December.
- While English speakers have one Santa Claus, the tradition surrounding jól in Iceland involves thirteen jólasveinar or Yule Lads who visit one by one.
Examples in context
- Gleðileg jól og farsælt komandi ár!Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!Tatoeba #10528417 by nipbud, translation #925023 by zvaigzne
- Gleðileg jól!Merry Christmas!Tatoeba #473056 by Swift, translation #1723 by brauliobezerra
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends meet on the street before the holiday break.
- GuðrúnSæll, Ólafur! Gleðileg jól!Hello, Ólafur! Merry Christmas!
- ÓlafurTakk, Guðrún! Gleðileg jól þér líka!Thanks, Guðrún! Merry Christmas to you too!
- GuðrúnHvað ætlar þú að gera í jól?What are you going to do for Christmas?
- ÓlafurÉg ætla að vera með fjölskyldunni.I am going to be with my family.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “merry Christmas” translations and entries gleðileg jól, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
