Vinnubækur

Vinnubækur, the plural of vinnubók, is an Icelandic term meaning workbook or exercise book. The word combines vinn- (“work”) with bók (“book”). In Icelandic education, vinnubækur are commonly used as supplementary materials alongside textbooks to provide structured exercises, problems, and activities that reinforce learning. They are typically subject-specific, such as vinnubók í stærðfræði (math workbook), and can be produced as printed booklets or digital formats. Many vinnubækur include spaces for written answers, worked solutions, and progress checks, and are used across primary, secondary, and adult education.

In addition to educational use, the term can refer more generally to a logbook or ledger that records work activity, such as notes on projects or timekeeping. However, in bookkeeping contexts this meaning is less common, and other terms may be preferred for financial ledgers.

Etymology and usage notes: vinnubækur are a standard part of school materials and publisher catalogs in Iceland. They are distinguished from related terms such as skrifbók (notebook) and dagbók (diary) by their emphasis on practice and applied exercises rather than free writing or journaling.

See also: workbook, exercise book, logbook.