Credits: Evelina Ytterbom / imagebank.sweden.se
Swedish Greetings and Courtesies
Start your Swedish journey with these essential phrases:
God morgon! - Good morning
Tjena! - Hi (informal)
Hur är läget? - What’s up?
Tack! - Thank you/Please
Ursäkta mig, var ligger toaletten? - Excuse me, where’s the restroom?
💡 Pro tip:
“Varsågod!” does triple duty: use it for “Here you go,” “Please,” or “You’re welcome!”
Food & Drink Vocabulary
From fika favorites to dinner essentials, here’s a guide to Swedish culinary terms:
| Swedish | English |
|---|---|
| Kanelbulle | Cinnamon bun |
| En stor stark | Lager beer (“a big strong”) |
| Köttbullar | Meatballs with lingonberry jam |
| Påtår | Free coffee refill |
| Lättöl | Low-alcohol beer (≤2.25% ABV) |
| Fika | Coffee break with pastries |
| Glögg | Swedish mulled wine |
| Knäckebröd | Crispbread |
| Kaffe på maten | Coffee after dinner |
| Vegetariskt | Vegetarian |
Try saying:
- “En dagens, tack!”
“Today’s special, please!” (perfect for lunch orders) - “Kan jag få en påtår?”
“Can I get a coffee refill?”
Did you know?
- Påtår is often free in Swedish cafés – a nod to their love of coffee!
- Köttbullar (meatballs) are a staple of Swedish home cooking, often served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam.
- Fika is more than just coffee – it’s a social ritual deeply ingrained in Swedish culture.
Pro tip:
When ordering beer, specify:
- En stor stark (a lager)
- En lättöl (a low-alcohol beer)
Cultural note: Swedes take their coffee seriously – it’s common to have kaffe på maten (coffee after dinner) to round off a meal.
Emotional Expressions
Handle feelings the Swedish way:
Jag är ledsen - I’m sorry/I’m sad (context-dependent)
Förlåt! - Forgive me!
😍 Jag gillar dig - I like you
💔 Jag hatar dig - I hate you (use sparingly!)
Cultural Keywords
Swedish culture is full of unique concepts that are essential to understanding the Swedish way of life. Here are five key terms every learner should know:
1. Lagom
“Just right; not too much, not too little”
- Meaning: The Swedish philosophy of balance and moderation.
- Example: “A lagom amount of sugar in your coffee” = just the right amount.
- Cultural Insight: Reflects Sweden’s emphasis on equality and avoiding excess.
2. Fika
“Coffee break + social ritual”
- Meaning: A daily tradition of taking a break with coffee, pastries, and conversation.
- Example: “Let’s fika!” = Let’s have a coffee break together.
- Cultural Insight: Fika is a cornerstone of Swedish work and social life.
3. Sambo
“Live-in partner (unmarried)”
- Meaning: Someone who lives with their partner without being married.
- Example: “Han är min sambo” = He’s my live-in partner.
- Cultural Insight: Reflects Sweden’s progressive attitudes toward relationships.
4. Nja
“No + yes = Maybe”
- Meaning: A casual way to express uncertainty or hesitation.
- Example: “Ska vi gå ut ikväll?” – “Nja…” = “Should we go out tonight?” – “Maybe…”
- Cultural Insight: Swedes often avoid direct confrontation, and nja is a polite way to say “maybe.”
5. Ombudsman
“Official mediator”
- Meaning: A government-appointed official who investigates complaints.
- Example: “Jag kontaktade ombudsmannen” = I contacted the ombudsman.
- Cultural Insight: This Swedish-origin word is now used globally, reflecting Sweden’s commitment to fairness and justice.
Why are these words important?
These terms offer a glimpse into Swedish values:
- Lagom: Balance and equality
- Fika: Community and relaxation
- Sambo: Progressive social norms
- Nja: Politeness and indirectness
- Ombudsman: Trust in institutions
Numbers 0-10
Count like a Swede:
- 0 noll
- 1 ett
- 2 två
- 3 tre
- 4 fyra
- 5 fem
- 6 sex
- 7 sju
- 8 åtta
- 9 nio
- 10 tio
Quirky Swedish Sayings
🇸🇪 Did you know?
Swedes love nature-inspired idioms! Here are some peculiar expressions:
“Glida in på en räkmacka”
“Glide in on a shrimp sandwich”
➤ Someone who achieves success without effort
Cultural context: Reflects Sweden’s seafood culture and value of humility“Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder”
“There’s no bad weather, only bad clothes”
➤ Swedish philosophy of outdoor living“Att vara ute och cykla”
“To be out cycling”
➤ Means being completely wrong (“You’re totally cycling!”)“Inte för allt smör i Småland”
“Not for all the butter in Småland”
➤ Småland province = dairy country. Means “Not for anything!”“Slå två flugor i en smäll”
“Kill two flies with one swat”
➤ Swedish version of efficiency“Ha en råtta i magen”
“Have a rat in the stomach”
➤ Describes an ambitious/restless person“Som att kasta pärlor till svin”
“Like throwing pearls to swine”
➤ Same as English idiom, shows Viking-era roots“Göra en höna av en fjäder”
“Make a hen out of a feather”
➤ Exaggerating small problems“Falla mellan två stolar”
“Fall between two chairs”
➤ Swedish take on bureaucratic limbo“Dra något över en kant”
“Pull something over an edge”
➤ Means completing a task thoroughly