In Icelandic, you don't always need a separate phrase like "each other" or "one another." Instead, you can express mutual actions by simply adding the ending -st to the verb.
When you add -st to a plural verb, it frequently creates a reciprocal meaning. For example, við hittum means "we meet [someone/something]," but við hittumst means "we meet each other."
Greeting and meeting
When interacting with neighbors in your community, you will often use these reciprocal verbs in the plural forms for "we" (við), "you" (þið), or "they" (þeir/þær/þau).
| to greet each other | heilsast |
| We always greet each other when we meet in the stairwell. | Við heilsumst alltaf þegar við hittumst í stigaganginum. |
| They greet each other in the driveway because they are polite. | Þeir heilsast í innkeyrslunni af því að þeir eru kurteisir. |
Knowing and speaking
This pattern applies to many common verbs of interaction. If you want to say that people know each other or speak to each other, use the -st form.
Notice that to say "speak to each other," you use the verb talast followed by the preposition við (to/with).
| The neighbors in the housing association haven't known each other for long. | Nágrannarnir í húsfélaginu hafa ekki þekkst lengi. |
| We know each other because we often meet on the sidewalk. | Við þekkjumst af því að við hittumst oft á gangstéttinni. |
| Why do you never speak to each other in the stairwell? | Af hverju talist þið aldrei við í stigaganginum? |
| They do not speak to each other, but they are polite. | Þær talast ekki við en þær eru kurteisar. |
Keeping in touch
One of the most common reciprocal verbs in Icelandic is heyrast (to hear from each other). It is used constantly in daily life as a casual, friendly way to say "we'll be in touch" or "talk to you later."
| to hear from each other | heyrast |
| We'll be in touch tomorrow! | Við heyrumst á morgun! |
| The neighbor is friendly, and we'll be in touch soon. | Nágranninn er vingjarnlegur og við heyrumst bráðum. |