The Verb "þora" (To Dare)
Use the verb þora (to dare) to talk about having the courage to do something. It behaves somewhat like a modal verb, pairing with a second verb to complete its meaning. However, unlike core modal verbs (such as vilja or geta), þora requires the infinitive marker að before the main verb.
Whether you are deeply infatuated with someone or prone to blushing, þora að expresses having the nerve to act.
| She does not dare to talk to this boy, because she is infatuated with him. | Hún þorir ekki að tala við þennan strák, af því að hún er skotin í honum. |
| The boy dares to look at me, although he always blushes. | Strákurinn þorir að horfa á mig, þó að hann roðni alltaf. |
The Verb "nenna" (To Feel Like / To Be Bothered)
The verb nenna expresses having the mental energy, motivation, or inclination to do something. It is incredibly common in spoken Icelandic, especially in the negative (nenna ekki), translating to "cannot be bothered" or "do not feel like".
Just like þora, it pairs with að plus the infinitive of the action you do or do not feel like doing.
| I am tired and do not feel like flirting with this man. | Ég er þreyttur og nenni ekki að daðra við þennan mann. |
| We cannot be bothered to act like fools at the restaurant. | Við nennum ekki að láta eins og fífl á veitingastaðnum. |
Nerves, Courage, and Messing Up
Inviting someone on a date (stefnumót) takes courage. Often, being in love triggers intense nerves: you might break into a cold sweat or stutter.
You can combine these mental disposition verbs with dating vocabulary to express the fear of messing up the moment.
| You lack courage to ask him out on a date. | Þig vantar kjark til að bjóða honum á stefnumót. |
| Were you in a cold sweat because you did not dare to ask her? | Varst þú kaldsveittur af því að þú þorðir ekki að spyrja hana? |
| I am in love but I fear messing up the evening. | Ég er ástfanginn en ég óttast að klúðra kvöldinu. |
| I do not dare to ask her on the date because I am in a cold sweat and stammer. | Ég þori ekki að bjóða henni á stefnumótið af því að ég er kaldsveittur og stama. |
