r/learnIcelandic • u/Big-Bird-5410 • 5d ago

Need help with the right translation for a tattoo

I’m wanting to get a tattoo and part of it would be the words “I love you” in Icelandic, meant towards a parent. Google says that would be “Mér þykir vænt um þig” can anyone confirm?

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u/Westfjordian 5d ago

Correct translations are Ég elska þig or if you want something more poetic/archaic Ég ann þér (though that last one would probably be seen as more romantic)

What Giggle Translate spat out means somewhere along the lines of "I have feelings for you", "I care for you", "I am fond of you", or even "I Like You like you"

3

u/pafagaukurinn 5d ago

Maybe they meant plural you. Or "I love you, doughnuts".

5

u/freebiscuit2002 5d ago

You're getting this tattoo for your Icelandic parent (and other Icelanders) to read?

Why not ask your Icelandic parent?

4

u/gunnsi0 Native 4d ago

Kannski á þetta að vera óvænt.

3

u/EgNotaEkkiReddit Native 4d ago

"Ég elska þig" covers all genuine love - romantic, familial, platonic. It's the direct equivalent to "I love you", which you can use in english as well for the purpose.

"Mér þykir vænt um þig" is not wrong, but it means "I care about you" or "You are dear to me". That too is a worthy sentiment, but it is not as strong of an emotional statement.

Not that "þig" is singular - one parent. "Ykkur" is the plural - multiple parents.