How to Say "Taxi" in Icelandic

leigubíll

[ˈleiːɣʏˌpitl̥]masculine

The English phrase taxi means leigubíll in Icelandic. Wiktionary also lists taxi and leigubifreið.

Meaning: vehicle available for public hire (noun)

Ways to say it

The term refers to a vehicle available for public hire.

While the word taxi is understood in Iceland, leigubíll is the standard, more formal term used in most contexts.

To say 'the taxi', you add the definite article '-inn' to the end of leigubíll. The genitive form of leigubíll is leigubíls.

In Iceland, you cannot simply hail a leigubíll on the street in most areas. You typically must call a company or use an app to request a ride.
The word leigubíll literally translates to 'rental car'. This can cause confusion for tourists who are looking for a short-term hire car rather than a taxi service.
The term leigubifreið is an even more formal version of leigubíll. It uses the word bifreið, which literally means 'motor-vehicle'.

Leigubíllinn ók upp að mér.
The taxi drew up to me.
This sentence shows how to use leigubíll to describe a taxi driving up to someone.
Tatoeba #866311 by Swift, translation #40976 by Swift
Leigubíllinn bíður fyrir utan.
The taxi is waiting outside.
This sentence shows how to use leigubíll to describe a taxi waiting outside.
Tatoeba #725639 by Swift, translation #40978 by CK
Leigubíll ók upp að aðalhliðinu.
A taxi drew up at the main gate.
This sentence shows how to use leigubíll to describe a taxi driving up to a gate.
Tatoeba #866313 by Swift, translation #40975 by Swift
Ég þarf að fá leigubifreið.
I need to get a taxi.
Ég ætla að kalla á bíl
I'm going to call a car
Ég ætla að kalla á taxi
I'm going to call a taxi
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Sigurður and Kristín are standing outside a restaurant in the rain.

Sources

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