hv Sounds Like kv
Say hv as kv: hvað (what) sounds like kvath, hvar (where) like kvar, and hvalur (whale) like kvalur.
How It Works
Almost every question word starts with hv, so you will hear this sound constantly:
- hvað (what), hver (who), hvar (where), hvenær (when), hvernig (how).
- Other common words: hvalur (whale), hvítur (white), hvolpur (puppy), hvíla (rest), hvass (sharp, windy).
Same sound, different spelling. Because hv is said kv, some words sound alike but are spelled differently. hver (who) and kver (booklet) sound the same in standard speech. Learn each word with its spelling.
The older sound. The breathy pronunciation, hv-framburður, is heard mostly in South Iceland and is becoming rarer. It is a correct regional form, not a mistake. See regional pronunciation.
The spelling hv is old. It matches English wh and Latin qu: Icelandic hvað, English what, Latin quod.
Examples (5)
- Hvað heitir þú?
What is your name?
Word by Word: What are-called you?
Hvað is said kvað.
- Hvar býrðu?
Where do you live?
Word by Word: Where live-you?
Hvar is said kvar.
- Hver er þetta?
Who is this?
Word by Word: Who is this?
Hver is said kver.
- Við sáum hval í gær.
We saw a whale yesterday.
Word by Word: We saw whale yesterday.
hval is said kval.
- Hvenær kemur strætó?
When does the bus come?
Word by Word: When comes bus?
Hvenær is said kvenær.
Common Mistakes
Spelling hv words the way they sound.
Kvað heitir þú?Hvað heitir þú?The kv sound is only the pronunciation. The word is always written with hv.
Writing hv in a word that has kv.
Gott hvöld.Gott kvöld.Not every kv sound is spelled hv. kvöld (evening) and kveðja (greeting) are written with kv, so learn each word with its spelling.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The hv sound follows the alphabet.
Related Patterns
- hvaðWhat (Hvað)
The most common hv question word.
Level 1 - hverWho (Hver)
Asks who, and also starts with hv.
Level 1 - hvar / hvert / hvaðanWhere, Where to and Where from
The where questions, all spelled with hv.
Level 1 - hvenærWhen (Hvenær)
Asks when, and starts with hv.
Level 1 - hvernigHow (Hvernig)
Asks how, and starts with hv.
Level 1 - Regional Pronunciation
Describes the older breathy hv of some southern speakers.
Level 6
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice hv Sounds Like kv in Bubblegum
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