Viltu

Viltu is a common Icelandic word that means “do you want” or “would you like.” It is the second-person singular present form of the verb vilja, which means to want. In everyday Icelandic, viltu is used to pose questions directly to another person, often at the start of a sentence.

The form viltu is closely related to the declarative tú form þú vilt, but it is used in the interrogative mood when addressing someone directly. It is typically followed by the desired object or action, such as viltu kaffi? “would you like coffee?” or viltu koma með mér? “would you like to come with me?” The construction is common in conversation, menus, advertisements, and other contexts where a speaker invites a choice or offers a option.

Etymologically, viltu stems from the verb vilja, with its roots in Old Norse and related North Germanic languages. The word continues to be a productive part of Icelandic, used in both informal and polite speech to check someone’s preference or consent.

In usage, viltu can appear at the start of a sentence to initiate a polite invitation or to present options, and it can convey a friendly or informal tone depending on context and accompanying language. It remains a core element of everyday Icelandic communication and a familiar feature for learners of the language. See also vilja, Icelandic grammar, and common Icelandic phrases for forming questions.