Faroese verb conjugation follows a very logical pattern once you learn the basic rules.

You only need to memorize a few common endings to start building your own sentences.

This guide will show you exactly how to change Faroese verbs to match the speaker and the time of the action.

I’ll break down the present and past tenses so you can start speaking right away.

Understanding Faroese verb basics

All Faroese verbs start with the word at in their dictionary form.

This dictionary form is called the infinitive.

Almost all Faroese verbs end in the letter -a in the infinitive.

A great piece of news for learners is that plural verbs are incredibly simple.

In modern Faroese, the plural form is exactly the same for “we”, “you (plural)”, and “they”.

The plural form is also usually identical to the infinitive itself.

This means you only really need to learn the singular forms to master a new verb.

The present tense

The present tense describes things happening right now or general facts.

Faroese verbs are grouped into different classes, but the most common group is the first conjugation.

Let’s look at the regular verb at kalla (to call).

To form the present tense for singular pronouns, you drop the -a and add specific endings.

For plural pronouns, the verb simply stays the same as the infinitive.

Here’s the full present tense conjugation for at kalla.

Here are a few examples of the present tense in action.

The past tense

The past tense describes actions that are already finished.

For the most common regular verbs, you add -aði for singular pronouns.

For plural pronouns, the correct written ending is -aðu.

When speaking, many Faroese people across different regions pronounce the plural -aðu exactly the same as the singular -aði.

Here’s how you conjugate at kalla in the past tense.

Notice how the singular form kallaði stays exactly the same for “I”, “you”, and “he/she/it”.

This makes the past tense very easy to memorize.

Irregular verbs (to be and to have)

Just like in English, the most common verbs in Faroese are irregular.

You must memorize the verbs at vera (to be) and at hava (to have).

They don’t follow the normal rules, but you’ll use them in almost every conversation.

Here’s the present and past tense for at vera (to be).

Here are a few quick examples using at vera.

Now let’s look at the present and past tense for at hava (to have).

Here are two examples using at hava in context.

Mastering these basic patterns will give you a very strong foundation in Faroese.

Focus on learning the regular endings first, and then memorize at vera and at hava.