Ways to say it
| Icelandic | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| þú | [θu] (narrow) [ˈθuː] (narrow) |
familiar |
| þér | [θjɛr] (narrow) [ðjɛr] (narrow) |
polite, rare |
The word is a subject pronoun used to address the person being spoken to. To address more than one person (the plural 'you'), use the form þið instead of þú.
Which one should you use?
þú is the singular form used in familiar or informal contexts. While þér is also a singular form, it is used to address one person politely and is considered quite rare in modern spoken Icelandic.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The informal way to say 'you' is þú and is used for a single person in a familiar or informal context. þér is a singular polite form used to address one person formally, though it is quite rare in modern spoken Icelandic.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes depending on its role in a sentence. When 'you' is the direct object of a verb, the form changes from þú to þig. When 'you' is the indirect object or used with certain prepositions, the form changes from þú to þér.
Did you know?
- The formal singular 'you', þér, is actually a linguistic accident. It was created when speakers misheard the old second-person plural verb endings and mistakenly added a 'þ' to the start of the word.
- While English uses 'thou' as an archaic, poetic way to say 'you', its direct relative 'þú' is the standard, everyday word for 'you' in modern Icelandic.
- Modern Icelandic is so egalitarian that the formal þér has almost entirely vanished from spoken conversation.
Examples in context
- Ég er ekki þú.I'm not you.This sentence uses þú to show a comparison between two people.Tatoeba #10615871 by nipbud, translation #3765653 by Wuzzy
- Þú lítur vel út.You do look nice.This sentence uses þú to make a compliment about someone's appearance.Tatoeba #3799384 by arnarsmata, translation #3732719 by CK
- Vilt þú gera það?Will you do that?This sentence uses þú to ask a question about someone's willingness to act.Tatoeba #3795522 by arnarsmata, translation #3738654 by CK
- Þú ert frábær!You are wonderful!
- Þú getur gert þetta!You can do this!
- 1069 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sigríður and Ólafur are talking about their plans for the weekend.
- SigríðurHvað vilt þú gera í helgini?What do you want to do this weekend?
- ÓlafurÉg vil fara í swimmingpoolið.I want to go to the swimming pool.
- SigríðurKemur þú með mig?Are you coming with me?
- ÓlafurJá, ég kem með þig.Yes, I will come with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries þú, þér, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries þér, þú, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
