Icelandic Lesson #2, please stay with me here. The last day of finals is December 6, so I promise it will end!
First a few notes:
(m) means the masculine version
(f) means the feminine version
(n) means the nuetral version.
0 núll
1 einn (m), ein (f), eitt (n)
2 tveir (m), tvær (f), tvö (n)
3 þrír (m), þrjár (f), þrjú (n)
4 fjórir (m), fjórar (f), fjögur (n)
Only numbers one through four are that difficult, if you are still reading, I promise it gets better
5 fimm
6 sex
7 sjö
8 átta
9 níu
10 tíu
11 ellefu
12 tólf
13 þrettán
14 fjórtán
15 fimmtán
16 sextán
17 sautján
18 átján
19 nítján
20 tuttugu
21 tuttugu og einn
22 tuttugu of tveir
ect ect
next, lets count by 10s
10 tíu
20 tuttugu
30 þrjátíu
40 fjörutíu
50 fimmtíu
60 sextíu
70 sjötíu
80 áttatíu
90 níutíu
Another note: hunderd numbers like 100 or 200 are neutral
100 eitt hundrað
200 tvö hundruð
300 þrjú hundruð
400 fjögur hundruð
500 fimm hundruð
600 sex hundruð
700 sjö hundruð
800 átta hundruð
900 níu hundruð
same as the hunderds, the thousands are neutral
1000 eitt þúsund
New note: millions are feminine
1 000 000 ein milljón
2 000 000 tvær milljónir
Confused yet? Well I do not feel bad for you because you are not having to write a test on it
A few things to remember your kennitala (id number that you need for everything, even to rent a movie) is feminine and phone number are nuetral numbers.
When I try to order a coffee or something, I just take a wild guess at what gender it is (hmmm... does that coffee look manly today?) and hold up fingers to help incase I tottally mangle the number.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
The Foods
Finals are coming in 3 weeks and so, in an attempt to memorize these words, I hope to add some online each day.
Maybe it might come in useful if you ever need to come to Iceland, and in this case, buy some food.
I can not explain what a hassle it was to by groceries and have no idea what each thing was costing you or if you even bought what you wanted.
The english spelling here might be a problem and singular and plural, but it should be ok.
And on with the lesson:
Maybe it might come in useful if you ever need to come to Iceland, and in this case, buy some food.
I can not explain what a hassle it was to by groceries and have no idea what each thing was costing you or if you even bought what you wanted.
The english spelling here might be a problem and singular and plural, but it should be ok.
And on with the lesson:
- morgunmatur is breakfast
- hádegismatur is lunch
- kvöldmatur is super
- forréttir is an appitizer
- gulrætur is carrots
- blómkál is cauliflower
- sveppir is mushrooms
- bananar is bananas
- epli is apple
- appelsínur in oranges, I know it looks like apple
- perur is pears
- rófur is turnips
- baunir is beans or peas
- spergilkál is brocoli
- blaðlauker is leeks
- laukur is onions
- melóna is melons, an easy one
- hindber is raspberries
- jarðarber is strawberries
- agúrka is cucumber
- vínber is grapes
- sitrónur is lemons, citrus! get it?
- tómatar is tomato, another easy one
- grænmeti is vedgetables
- kaffi is coffee, easy
- te is tea, easy
- avaxtasafi is fruit juice
- vatn is water
- mjólk is milk, easy enough
- fiskur is fish, hahaha
- kjöt is meat
- lax is salmon
- nautakjöt is beef
- lambakjöt is lamb
- svínakjöt is pork
- kjúklingur is chicken
- sósa is sauce
- hrisgrjón is rice
- sulta is jam
- brauð is bread
- rúnnstykki is bread rolls
- egg is eggs, good one
- ís is ice cream or ice, depends what you are talking about
- smjör is butter
- rjómi is cream
- jógurt is yogurt
- ostur is cheese
- sykur is sugar
- pítsa is pizza
- salat is lettuce
- ávextir is fruit
- nasl is snacks, even if it is not the word used, it is the word I must learn
- rækja is shrimp
- humar is lobster
- rabberbari is rubarb
- plómur is plum
- aprikósa is apricot
- kivi is kiwi
- selleri is celery
- ólívur is olive
- hreindýr is reindeer
- önd is duck
- hvalur is whale
- skinka is lunch meat
- kalkúnn is turkey
- rjúpa is ptarmigan
- gos is pop
- olia is oil
- edik is vinniger
- sinnep is mustard
- ristað brauð is toast
- kjötbollur is meatballs
- brúnni sósu is gravy
- saltið is the salt
- smákaka a cookie
- kex is crackers
Már, please feel free to let me know about any spelling errors in the Icelandic. I can not see the board very well, so sometimes I take bad notes!
Pictures from Xiaohong
Armed with a digital camera, Xiaohong has seen everything. She is very good at making sure she does everything there is to do and seeing everything there is to see, before she leaves Iceland.
She and her husband are here with the Chinese Embassy. Xiaohong is in my Icelandic class.
We sit at the front together. It is easier to see and ask 100 questions if you are in the front row.
Because I did not take these pictures and have not seen these things myself, I will not comment on them. It just would seem a little wrong.
Darren's Birthday Party
Darren is in my class to learn Icelandic. He is from England.
Last Thursday was Darren's birthday. I think he turned 30 or maybe just 29.
On Saturday was his party!
The night started out typical. Tonya was sick and could not make it, that always happens to at least one person. Everyone was running late, including out baby sitter.
Mahwish, from New York, and her husband Sammy (I do not think that is spelled right), from Norway pick me up at about 9:30.
We then drove to pick up another guy in my class whose name I can not even say right and would have no clue on how to spell, from Peru.
We got to the party by 10, it started at 8. We excused ourselves by saying we were practicing being Icelandic by not being on time.
I brought beer I had found at work, some people leave beer in the hotel rooms and I had been saving it. I hate beer so I traded it for wine. I don't like wine either, but it does not make you feel so full.
Darren has a cat. I am allergic so his girlfriend, who is a nurse and Icelandic, gave me antihistamines. Mahwish is scared of cats. So she spent a lot of time trying to avoid it.
There were people of all sorts at this party.
A drug dealer from Serbia that everyone avoided.
An Icelandic girl who had super red eyes, which made us think she had been spending time with the guy from Serbia. Ends up she tried to dye her eye lashes and got hair dye in her eyes.
Sammy is an eye surgeon, so it was suggested that they talk.
Darren's girlfriend, I can not remember her name, I am really sorry, was so friendly.
Really outgoing, which does not seem to be a really common trait in Icelanders.
An other guy from England, I can not remember his name either but he was one of the construction workers that was working in front of Kristina's house. I told him off for how long it took and all the problems with the water. He admitted that it probably was his fault.
A guy from eastern Europe who told me to remember that if anyone asks, the vikings discovered Canada.
A really mixed group.
There was almost a fight, but I think it was just some misunderstanding. These things happen when English is the second, third or fourth language of most of the people there.
Finally we went out to the clubs, but the most fun was had at the house party.
Thanks to Darren and his girlfriend for hosting such a great party!
Last Thursday was Darren's birthday. I think he turned 30 or maybe just 29.
On Saturday was his party!
The night started out typical. Tonya was sick and could not make it, that always happens to at least one person. Everyone was running late, including out baby sitter.
Mahwish, from New York, and her husband Sammy (I do not think that is spelled right), from Norway pick me up at about 9:30.
We then drove to pick up another guy in my class whose name I can not even say right and would have no clue on how to spell, from Peru.
We got to the party by 10, it started at 8. We excused ourselves by saying we were practicing being Icelandic by not being on time.
I brought beer I had found at work, some people leave beer in the hotel rooms and I had been saving it. I hate beer so I traded it for wine. I don't like wine either, but it does not make you feel so full.
Darren has a cat. I am allergic so his girlfriend, who is a nurse and Icelandic, gave me antihistamines. Mahwish is scared of cats. So she spent a lot of time trying to avoid it.
There were people of all sorts at this party.
A drug dealer from Serbia that everyone avoided.
An Icelandic girl who had super red eyes, which made us think she had been spending time with the guy from Serbia. Ends up she tried to dye her eye lashes and got hair dye in her eyes.
Sammy is an eye surgeon, so it was suggested that they talk.
Darren's girlfriend, I can not remember her name, I am really sorry, was so friendly.
Really outgoing, which does not seem to be a really common trait in Icelanders.
An other guy from England, I can not remember his name either but he was one of the construction workers that was working in front of Kristina's house. I told him off for how long it took and all the problems with the water. He admitted that it probably was his fault.
A guy from eastern Europe who told me to remember that if anyone asks, the vikings discovered Canada.
A really mixed group.
There was almost a fight, but I think it was just some misunderstanding. These things happen when English is the second, third or fourth language of most of the people there.
Finally we went out to the clubs, but the most fun was had at the house party.
Thanks to Darren and his girlfriend for hosting such a great party!
A note on the accents
I know there is supposed to be accents in some words and names.
So, please do not think I am spelling your name wrong without knowing or because I am lazy.
It just messes up the spell checker and we all know that no one could read this if it was not for spell check!
So, please do not think I am spelling your name wrong without knowing or because I am lazy.
It just messes up the spell checker and we all know that no one could read this if it was not for spell check!
The bottle lady
There is a nice Chinese lady who goes around downtown collecting all the bottles.
I save them for her on top of the cupboards.
Sometimes if I do not see her for a month it starts to get a little smelly, but I do not want to throw them away. Unless you have a lot, they are not worth taking in for the deposit.
Anyways, this women is something of a legend around here and I am sure she gets good money collecting all these bottles because so many people know of her and save the bottles for her.
She has be doing this for years. Kristina and Mar used to save bottles in a separate bag for her to.
She does not speak English but she seems to be speaking kindly to me in Icelandic.
It was so nice to see her today.
Besides, the top of the cupboards was getting really crowded.
I save them for her on top of the cupboards.
Sometimes if I do not see her for a month it starts to get a little smelly, but I do not want to throw them away. Unless you have a lot, they are not worth taking in for the deposit.
Anyways, this women is something of a legend around here and I am sure she gets good money collecting all these bottles because so many people know of her and save the bottles for her.
She has be doing this for years. Kristina and Mar used to save bottles in a separate bag for her to.
She does not speak English but she seems to be speaking kindly to me in Icelandic.
It was so nice to see her today.
Besides, the top of the cupboards was getting really crowded.
Baðhús
I finally got a gym membership here.
It has everything, a pool, classes, equipment and tanning.
I am so excited.
I went last night to a class and almost killed myself. It ended up being over a hour long and was super hard. Defiantly not meant to jump into. But I finished the class. It was something to be proud of. Of course I could barely walk up the stairs to classes today.
I am sure it will get better.
Janielle, you should be proud!
It has everything, a pool, classes, equipment and tanning.
I am so excited.
I went last night to a class and almost killed myself. It ended up being over a hour long and was super hard. Defiantly not meant to jump into. But I finished the class. It was something to be proud of. Of course I could barely walk up the stairs to classes today.
I am sure it will get better.
Janielle, you should be proud!
Monday, November 06, 2006
Fish Tycoon
My new addiction.
A little slow moving but it has kept me online all day now and has no intention of slowing down.
You have a fish store and you breed fish sell them, make new breeds and upgrade you aquariums! How exciting is that?
Well, maybe it is just exciting to me. I admit I thought Sim Farm was great.
And we all remember playing the old Sim City on the computer. good times, good times.
If you want to try it out:
http://get.games.yahoo.com/proddesc?gamekey=fishtycoon
A little slow moving but it has kept me online all day now and has no intention of slowing down.
You have a fish store and you breed fish sell them, make new breeds and upgrade you aquariums! How exciting is that?
Well, maybe it is just exciting to me. I admit I thought Sim Farm was great.
And we all remember playing the old Sim City on the computer. good times, good times.
If you want to try it out:
http://get.games.yahoo.com/proddesc?gamekey=fishtycoon
Crazy wind, part 2
On my way to school today I found some kids toys that flew out of our yard. The toys box was no where in sight but I did find 2 shovels and a pail.
The funny thing is that it is not like they just rolled away. Our yard has a fence, so they really flew away, the toys and stuff that it.
The funny thing is that it is not like they just rolled away. Our yard has a fence, so they really flew away, the toys and stuff that it.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Crazy Wind
There was a weather warning because of this crazy wind.
Wind, rain and hail.
Stuff was flying around everywhere, including the kids toy box in the back yard. The container is now missing and the toys are everywhere.
We always leave our bedroom window open. I always leave the unmatched socks on the window sill to sort later. On my way home from work I saw some of my socks flying away. Probably never would have found the pair anyways.
Wind, rain and hail.
Stuff was flying around everywhere, including the kids toy box in the back yard. The container is now missing and the toys are everywhere.
We always leave our bedroom window open. I always leave the unmatched socks on the window sill to sort later. On my way home from work I saw some of my socks flying away. Probably never would have found the pair anyways.
Friday, November 03, 2006
New Girls Upstairs
In the apartment upstairs, that is owned by Champagne Girls, a strip, dance place downtown, has some new tenants.
They look like dancers too, just like the last girls that lived there. The ones that did not get paid.
So they must be new too.
The question is should I mention to them that the last girls were not paid?
They look like dancers too, just like the last girls that lived there. The ones that did not get paid.
So they must be new too.
The question is should I mention to them that the last girls were not paid?
Reasons Why Not
- I do not know them well, so they might not even believe me.
- I do not want an angry club owner after me
- I have kids, I really do not need to worry about them any more then I already do
- It is not really my business
- They might be getting paid, then I would just seem to be a liar
Reasons To
- Nobody, including me likes to see someone get ripped off
- I might not be able to sleep the same if I just pretended not to know anything
- These owners are bad people, they should be stopped
- I might be able to save someone anymore trouble
Anyways, it is something to think about. I am not sure yet what to do but if you want to work there for free yourself I found an ad online to apply.
Duck Tape
It is just one of those pictures that makes you laugh and laugh and laugh. When the tears come to your eyes, leave the room.
I know it is cruel....but still so funny. Like a cat that has scotch tape on its back.
Kasper lost a tooth
And not just any tooth, this is his first one.
It was so cute and such a big step, I took a picture.
So, the tooth fairy visited the Bermans tonight. I guess there is not a tooth fairy in Iceland, so this one made a special trip from Canada.
I do not even know what the going rate for teeth is these days. When I was a kid I got one dollar, if I was lucky two. So, I gave Kasper three hundred kr. I think it is about the same if you consider what I could buy with two dollars twenty years ago.
Stefan was impressed to see his brother lost a tooth, or had broken teeth as he called it. Actually he was a little concerned until Kasper explained that he would get a new one.
The boys are getting so big!
It was so cute and such a big step, I took a picture.
So, the tooth fairy visited the Bermans tonight. I guess there is not a tooth fairy in Iceland, so this one made a special trip from Canada.
I do not even know what the going rate for teeth is these days. When I was a kid I got one dollar, if I was lucky two. So, I gave Kasper three hundred kr. I think it is about the same if you consider what I could buy with two dollars twenty years ago.
Stefan was impressed to see his brother lost a tooth, or had broken teeth as he called it. Actually he was a little concerned until Kasper explained that he would get a new one.
The boys are getting so big!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
5 day weekend
Kasper has a 5 day weekend starting tomorrow.
I never remember getting this many days off school when I was small.
More teacher days they say. I wonder what these teachers days really are.
I think the grade one teachers already have it so good. I know the pay is not great but considering the hours, i think it is fair enough.
Class is from 8:50 until 2:00. That is only 5 hours a day. The kids have 2 short recesses, a lunch break and a long lunch recess. They also have gym, dance, music and swimming class that are not taught by the regular teacher.
It is so relaxed. Every second time I go to see his teacher she has no class and is playing games on the computer.
No wonder he has so much homework, he does not spend enough time in school doing school stuff.
Sure Kasper loves all the active classes but I think he should be spending more time in a desk.
Anyways, now that I have completely rambled off topic, I will go.
I never remember getting this many days off school when I was small.
More teacher days they say. I wonder what these teachers days really are.
I think the grade one teachers already have it so good. I know the pay is not great but considering the hours, i think it is fair enough.
Class is from 8:50 until 2:00. That is only 5 hours a day. The kids have 2 short recesses, a lunch break and a long lunch recess. They also have gym, dance, music and swimming class that are not taught by the regular teacher.
It is so relaxed. Every second time I go to see his teacher she has no class and is playing games on the computer.
No wonder he has so much homework, he does not spend enough time in school doing school stuff.
Sure Kasper loves all the active classes but I think he should be spending more time in a desk.
Anyways, now that I have completely rambled off topic, I will go.
No ghosts, no ghouls
Now Halloween has come and gone.
There is no Halloween in Iceland.
I have heard of something like it in the spring. I am told the kids go around and sing in stores for candy.
But it is not the same.
I think Kasper missed it the most. I was not going to mention anything to him but some kid in school told him it was Halloween yesterday. I think he is feeling a little ripped off now. I ended up promising to buy him candy to make up for not being able to go trick or treating. I might regret this.
I told him there was more Christmas to make up for the lack of Halloween. After all it is only 3 weeks until his birthday and I think the Christmas stuff starts 2 weeks after that. I told him it all balances out.
We will have to watch the Nightmare before Christmas tonight.
There is no Halloween in Iceland.
I have heard of something like it in the spring. I am told the kids go around and sing in stores for candy.
But it is not the same.
I think Kasper missed it the most. I was not going to mention anything to him but some kid in school told him it was Halloween yesterday. I think he is feeling a little ripped off now. I ended up promising to buy him candy to make up for not being able to go trick or treating. I might regret this.
I told him there was more Christmas to make up for the lack of Halloween. After all it is only 3 weeks until his birthday and I think the Christmas stuff starts 2 weeks after that. I told him it all balances out.
We will have to watch the Nightmare before Christmas tonight.
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