úlfur
[ˈulvʏr]masculine
The Icelandic word for wolf is úlfur.
úlfur is a masculine noun used to refer to the animal.
Meaning: animal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes depending on its role in a sentence. To express the accusative case, which is used when the wolf is the direct object of a sentence, use úlf. To make the word definite, add the suffix -inn to the stem to get úlfinn (the wolf). For the definite plural form, meaning 'the wolves', use úlfarnir.
Did you know?
- Iceland is currently free of native wolves, meaning that when an Icelander says úlfur, they are usually discussing a creature of history, myth or a foreign animal.
- In the Icelandic legal system, the term vargur was historically used to describe an outlaw, effectively equating a social outcast with a predatory wolf.
- In Icelandic folklore, the wolf is often linked to the monstrous Fenrir, a giant wolf from Norse mythology whose destiny is to clash with the god Odin during the end of the world.
Examples in context
- Ég sá spor úlfurs í snjónum.I saw a wolf's tracks in the snow.
- Úlfurinn er stórt dýr.The wolf is a large animal.
Example conversation
Gunnar and Sigríður are talking about nature.
- GunnarSáir þú úlfur þarna?Do you see a wolf over there?
- SigríðurNei, ég sé engan úlfur.No, I don't see any wolf.
- GunnarÉg hélt að ég sá úlfur.I thought I saw a wolf.
- SigríðurÞað var líklega bara hundur.It was probably just a dog.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wolf” translations and entries úlfur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
