einn
[ˈeitn̥]
The Icelandic word for the cardinal number 'one' is einn.
einn is used to represent the number 1.
Meaning: cardinal number 1 (num)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for 'one' must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, taking the forms einn (masculine), ein (feminine) and eitt (neuter).
Did you know?
- Because Icelandic has remained so stable, einn is nearly identical to the form used in Old Norse over a thousand years ago.
- The word einn shares the same root as the English word 'one' and the German 'ein', reflecting a common ancestry from Proto-Germanic.
- Icelandic distinguishes between the number 'one' and the concept of 'alone' or 'single' using variations of the root ein.
Examples in context
- Einn af þeim tveim þarf að fara.One of the two will have to go.This sentence shows how to use einn to refer to one person out of two.Tatoeba #10963560 by nipbud, translation #10963537 by nipbud
- Einn af þeim tveimur verður að fara.One of the two will have to leave.This sentence demonstrates the use of einn in the context of necessity.Tatoeba #10963556 by nipbud, translation #10963538 by nipbud
- ein elsta steinkirkja hérlendisOne of the oldest stone churches in the countryThis sentence shows how the word functions when modifying a noun.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sigurður and Sigríður are ordering coffee at a cafe.
- SigurðurÉg vil einn kaffi, takk.I want one coffee, please.
- SigríðurViltu eitthvað með kaffinu?Do you want something with the coffee?
- SigurðurJá, ég vil einn snúð.Yes, I want one cinnamon roll.
- SigríðurÉg skal kaupa það fyrir þig.I will buy it for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries einn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries einn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
