Level A1

Lesson 6: Noun Gender

In this lesson, you’ll learn that Icelandic nouns have gender. In Icelandic, nouns are divided into three grammatical genders.

Every noun in Icelandic is either:

  • karlkyn – masculine (kk)

  • kvenkyn – feminine (kvk)

  • hvorugkyn – neuter (hk)

This is called kyn orða (word gender). These grammatical genders do not always match biological gender.

Even objects have gender. For example:

  • “milk” has gender

  • “bread” has gender

  • “juice” has gender

You must learn the noun with its gender.

🧠 Pattern Tip

Often (but not always!):

  • Words ending in -ur → kk

  • Words ending in -a → kvk

  • Many short object words → hk

But ⚠️ there are exceptions.

For now: memorize the word + gender together.

Why is gender important in Icelandic? 

Gender Changes Other Words

In Icelandic, words change form depending on gender.

Later, you will see this with:

  • The word “the”

  • Adjectives (like big, small, good)

  • Some numbers

So gender helps Icelandic words “agree” with each other.

New Vocabulary

Icelandic

Safi

Ostur

Mjólk

Kaka

Kjöt

Brauð

að drekka

Gender

kk

kk

kvk

kvk

hk

hk

verb (no gender)

English

Juice

Cheese

Milk

Cake

Meat

Bread

to drink

 

   🔊

Let’s Practice!

✏️ Practice 1 – Match the Gender

Write kk, kvk, or hk next to each word:

  1. safi → ______

  2. mjólk → ______

  3. brauð → ______

  4. kjöt → ______

  5. ostur → ______

  6. kaka → ______

✏️ Practice 2 – Translate the Sentences

Translate the sentences.

  1. Ég borða brauð.
  2. Þú borðar mikið kjöt.
  3. Við drekkum safa.
  4. Hann borðar bauð hratt.
  5. Þau drekka mjólk.

🗣️ Speaking Practice

Say aloud:

  • Þeir borða brauð.

  • Hún drekkur mjólk.

  • Ég borða ost.

  • Þú drekkur safa. 

  • Við borðum kjöt.

🔊 Listening Practice

Write what you hear:

  1. ___________
  2. ___________
  3. ___________
  4. ___________
  5. ___________

 

(coming soon)

Good job! Vel gert!

Here you can find the answers to the written practices.

Answers

Practice 1 – Match the Gender

  1. kk, 2. kvk, 3. hk, 4. hk, 5. kk, 6. kvk

Practice 2 – Translate the Sentences

  1. I eat bread. 2. You eat a lot of meat. 3. We drink juice. 4. He eats bread fast. 5. They drink milk.

Listeining Practice

coming soon…

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