hákarl
/ˈhaː.kar(t)l/masculine
The Icelandic word for shark is hákarl.
hákarl is a masculine noun used to refer to the predatory fish known as a shark.
Meaning: fish (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word hákarl remains the same in both the singular and plural forms when used in the nominative case. To specify a particular shark, use the definite form hákarlinn.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable. It is pronounced /ˈhaː.kar(t)l/.
Did you know?
- Fresh Greenland shark meat is toxic to humans due to high concentrations of urea and trimethylamine oxide.
- The word hákarl is built from two parts that literally translate to 'shark man'.
- Because the meat of the hákarl is toxic when fresh, it must be buried in gravel or hung to dry to be safe for consumption.
Examples in context
- Ég elska hákarl, hvað um þig?I love shark, what about you?
- Þú ert djarfur, ég get ekki borðað hákarl!You're brave, I can't eat shark!
- Hákarl er stórt dýr.A shark is a large animal.
- Ég sé hákarl í sjónum.I see a shark in the ocean.
- Hákarlinn er mjög stór.The shark is very large.
Example conversation
Katrín and Jón are visiting a fish market.
- KatrínSjáðu, hér er hákarl!Look, here is a shark!
- JónHvaðan kemur hann?Where does it come from?
- KatrínHann er fangstur úr hafinu.It is a catch from the ocean.
- JónHann lítur mjög skræmandi út.It looks very scary.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shark” translations and entries hákarl, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hákarl, CC BY-SA 4.0.
