vatn
[ˈvahtn̥]neuter
The Icelandic word for water is vatn.
vatn refers to the inorganic compound H₂O. While vatn is the general term for water, Icelandic uses specific words for different types of water: Á is used for a river (flowing water in a natural environment) and Sjór is used specifically for seawater.
Meaning: inorganic compound H₂O (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun vatn (water) should not be confused with the verb vökva, which means to pour water into the soil surrounding plants.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
vatn is a neuter noun. It changes form depending on its grammatical role in a sentence. The definite form is vatnið (the water). In the dative case, it becomes vatni, which is used after certain prepositions or verbs. The genitive form is vatns (water's).
Did you know?
- Due to the volcanic nature of the land, vatn in Iceland is often naturally filtered through lava rocks, making tap water some of the purest in the world.
- The word vatn is a direct relative of the English word 'water', as both descend from the Proto-Germanic word *watōr.
- Icelanders use vatn to describe a lake, but the word is also the general term for the liquid itself.
Examples in context
- Það er ekkert vatn í sundlauginni.There's no water in the pool.This sentence shows how to express the absence of vatn in a location.Tatoeba #4025644 by Bergthor, translation #4013692 by CK
- Maðurinn tekur hestana að vatninu.The man takes the horses to the water.This sentence demonstrates the use of vatn in a sentence involving horses.Tatoeba #4171595 by lifind, translation #4159672 by richke
- Vatnið er fallegt.The water is beautiful.This sentence shows the use of the definite form vatnið.Tatoeba #5484424 by ThorTheTutor, translation #5395101 by Hybrid
- Við létum vatnið renna.We let the water run.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Katrín and Jón are sitting at a dinner table.
- KatrínViltu fá vatn?Do you want some water?
- JónJá, takk fyrir.Yes, thank you.
- KatrínÉg het vatnið hérna.I have the water here.
- JónÞað er mjög góðt.It is very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “water” translations and entries vatn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vatn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
