Ég tala.

I speak.

Breakdown of Ég tala.

• ég: I
• tala: to speak

Questions & Answers about Ég tala.

Why do I need the pronoun Ég if it's already clear I’m the one talking?

In Icelandic, subject pronouns are almost always required. Unlike some languages that can drop the pronoun, Icelandic typically keeps Ég to make the sentence grammatically complete.

Why does the verb tala not end with an "r," like in talar?

The verb changes depending on the subject. Ég tala is first-person singular (I speak), while þú talar or hann talar use a different conjugation that ends with -r.

Can Eg tala mean both “I speak” and “I talk”?

Yes! The Icelandic verb tala can translate to both “speak” and “talk” in English, depending on context.

Is there a continuous form like “I am speaking” in Icelandic?

Yes. You can say Ég er að tala to mean “I am speaking” in a continuous sense, but Ég tala is still correct to express a general habit of speaking.

Are there any special pronunciation tips for Ég tala?

Ég is often pronounced like “yeh” and tala is said with a clear “a” sound. Practice flowing them together: “yeh tala.”