A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Reykjavik
Pronounce Reykjavik like 'RAY-kyuh-vik' to be understood when discussing Iceland's capital.
reykjavik
RAY-kyuh-vik
/ˈreɪkjəˌvɪk/ · rey · kja · vik
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's the name of the world's northernmost capital city.
Where the word comes from
The name Reykjavik means 'smoky bay' in Old Norse. It's a compound of 'reykr' (smoke) and 'vík' (bay).
Common ways people get it wrong
- REYK-jav-ik This common mistake comes from trying to pronounce the 'j' like in 'java'. The 'j' in Icelandic is more like an English 'y'.
- REYK-jah-vik Similar to the above, this misinterprets the 'j' sound. Remember it's a 'y' sound, not a 'j'.
Frequently asked
How do you say Reykjavik?
The most common pronunciation in English is RAY-kyuh-vik. The stress is on the first syllable.
Is Reykjavik pronounced with a hard J?
No, the 'j' in Reykjavik is pronounced like an English 'y' sound, as in 'yes'.
What does Reykjavik mean?
Reykjavik means 'smoky bay' in Old Norse, referring to the geothermal steam that early settlers saw rising from the land.
How do Icelandic people pronounce Reykjavík?
Icelandic speakers pronounce Reykjavík with a rolled 'r' and a distinct 'k' sound at the end. The 'hv' combination is pronounced like a 'kv'.
Is the J in Reykjavík silent?
No, the 'j' in Reykjavík is not silent. It is pronounced like the English 'y' sound, as in 'yes'.
Why is Reykjavík pronounced the way it is?
The pronunciation of Reykjavík follows Icelandic phonological rules. The name itself means 'smoky bay' in Old Norse, and its spelling reflects the historical pronunciation.
