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Swedish Podcasts: 5 Go-To Podcasts for Language Learners

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The Swedish podcasts community is one of the most dynamic and creative out there.

Many language learners are using podcasts to supplement their Swedish studies, and for good reason. 

By choosing to learn Swedish through podcasts, you can directly listen to native speakers at a pace that suits your needs. This flexibility makes it an ideal way of learning, regardless of your current level. You’ll also gain the capability to understand Swedish more easily, and you’ll become much more familiar with Swedes and remove any cultural barriers before your visit.

Knowing the importance of podcasts, we have taken the time to compile a list of the best Swedish podcasts for learners at different proficiency levels. 

Before we dig into the podcasts, though, let’s learn about how podcasts can really help you learn a language.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish Table of Contents
  1. Benefits of Using Podcasts to Learn Swedish
  2. Swedish Podcasts: The 5 Go-To Podcasts for Language Learners
  3. Tricks to Help You Learn Swedish More Effectively with Podcasts
  4. Conclusion

1. Benefits of Using Podcasts to Learn Swedish 

Improve your listening skills.

A Woman Talking to a Man

Listening to podcasts is one of the best ways to improve your comprehension of spoken Swedish. This is because it will help strengthen your listening skills and spoken word recognition in a natural, informal way. 

The listening comprehension skills you develop through listening to Swedish podcasts will help you improve your spoken Swedish as well. An added benefit of using a Swedish language learning podcast like SwedishPod101 is that all the sentences and vocabulary are clearly enunciated by native speakers. Listeners who take the time to immerse themselves in Swedish podcasts stand out when it comes to having a good grasp of Swedish pronunciation.

Transcripts of the podcasts are sometimes available, which will allow you to practice your reading skills as well. This is especially helpful if you haven’t been studying for long!

Learn new words.

Sticky Note Words

Repeatedly hearing the same words and phrases used in context will help you absorb them naturally. 

To make sure you don’t get bored, we include interesting stories and conversations in each of our podcast episodes on SwedishPod101.com. These are in both Swedish and English. You can, therefore, fully understand what’s going on while building your vocabulary at the same time.

Familiarize yourself with the culture.

Swedish Flag

The most striking things about Sweden are the country’s beautiful, friendly people and very interesting culture. Swedish people have a reputation for being honest, and learning Swedish will help you experience all of that and more to the fullest.

On top of that, listening to podcasts in Swedish will help you pick up some colloquial expressions and slang, which is always great for non-native speakers who wish to connect with the common man.

2. Swedish Podcasts: The 5 Go-To Podcasts for Language Learners

A Woman Listening to Something with Headphones

You can easily find free Swedish-language podcasts on the internet. They are ideal for learning and practicing Swedish without paying a dime. Here are some podcasts to get you started…

All Levels

Learn Swedish | SwedishPod101.com

SwedishPod101 is a podcast dedicated to teaching Swedish to learners of all levels. Our podcasts are usually 10 to 15 minutes in length, and there are over 600 episodes at the time of this writing. 

This podcast is perfect for beginners because we cover all the basics of Swedish, including: greetings, question words, ordering Swedish food, Swedish vocabulary for everyday life, and Swedish grammar

The SwedishPod101 podcast is updated regularly, and you can find 4-hour-long compilations on our YouTube channel. There’s also a 24/7 Swedish live stream that is always available on our YouTube channel anytime you feel like learning Swedish in front of the TV.

Beginner

One Minute Swedish

One of the best Swedish podcasts for beginners, One Minute Swedish is hosted by a native Swedish couple (Gabriella and Mark) who have a good grasp of the English language. Most of the episodes are 2-5 minutes long, but some are as short as 1 minute or as long as 11 minutes.

This podcast is mostly targeted towards beginners and people with no prior knowledge of the language. That said, it can also be useful for more advanced learners who are looking to build up their vocabulary with some quick phrases. 

A lot of the words and expressions used in the episodes relate to famous Swedes, films, books, and Swedish culture and history.

Gabriella and Mark also discuss different topics that are mostly related to Sweden, such as where it’s best to travel this year or how long you can stay in a certain place without having to leave for another part of the country.

Intermediate

Coffee Break Swedish

Coffee Break Swedish is a weekly podcast designed for beginner-intermediate Swedish learners. Its focus is on engaging stories, everyday situations, and useful language presented in a lighthearted way. 

The podcast is presented by Hanna and Matt, who work in marketing and met while studying for their doctorates at Lund University. Their aim is to help listeners learn Swedish as they discover the world around them. Simple greetings and phrases, useful words and expressions for everyday situations, and more challenging topics such as how to talk about family…it covers the basics and then some! 

Every episode aims to build on the language covered in previous episodes. As a result of this, you can listen to the podcast in sequence or out of sequence. The stories are interesting and fun, but they always come back to the language learning goal for that week. 

While this podcast is designed for beginner-intermediate learners, it can also be enjoyed by more advanced learners. The lessons are usually around 30 minutes long, and there are generally three or four stories in each episode (although this may vary from time to time).

Simple Swedish Podcast

Simple Swedish Podcast is designed with intermediate (B1-B2 on SWES) Swedish learners in mind, and it aims to make learning Swedish simple and fun. The podcast is based in Sweden and created by Fredrik Arhusiander, a Swede who loves helping people learn the language while having fun. This podcast will “offer you a short but regular dose of common spoken language from Sweden.” 

The podcast is hosted on Soundcloud, and the episodes can also be found on iTunes. There are new episodes once or twice a month, which are about 10 minutes long each. They come with notes in English (transcripts of what Fredrik says) as well as some exercises. It’s nice that they’re provided to help you review specific words and phrases.

The subject matter of the episodes varies a lot, but you can always expect Fredrik to talk about current events or news while sharing a Swede’s perspective on things (compared to the perspective of international media). This is useful for those who want to practice their listening skills with native speakers and also learn more about Sweden.

Advanced

Alex & Sigges Podcast

The Alex & Sigges Podcast is a Swedish-language podcast with a comedic tone designed to make Swedes laugh and describe up-to-date news in a humorous manner.

This podcast is designed for native speakers, and it therefore includes many idioms as well as a variety of words that beginner or intermediate learners may not be able to understand. It’s updated on a weekly basis and is perfect for learners who want to reach mastery in Swedish.

3. Tricks to Help You Learn Swedish More Effectively with Podcasts

A Man Listening to Something on the Go

With so much knowledge and so many new words packed into every podcast episode you listen to, it will be hard to remember everything in one go. Here are some tips to help you out: 

  • Reviewing vocabulary or listening to more episodes of the same podcast are very effective ways to absorb what you hear. Repetition will help you retain and use the information better. Not only that, but reviewing also greatly influences how well we can recall a certain topic from memory. This means we’re more likely to remember new information if we review and repeat it often.
  • Save yourself from having to look up words in a dictionary by using your smartphone’s voice recognition feature. You can simply say the unfamiliar word, and your phone will inform you of its meaning. Google Translate works best for this feature.
  • You can rewind any part you didn’t quite get while listening. Also, the pause feature allows you to stop the audio whenever you get distracted.  
  • You can also use the SwedishPod101 cheat sheets. They provide an entire transcript of the dialogue from each episode, plus pictures if there were any used. Frequently used words are conveniently located at the bottom of each sheet for easy reference. You can merge these materials with the other useful features at SwedishPod101.com to maximize the efficiency of your learning.

4. Conclusion

So, are you ready to commit to learning Swedish? We hope so! 

If that’s the case, we have a few recommendations on how to get started. Whether it be through podcasts or other avenues like classes and books, there is no shortage of opportunities out there for language learners. 

One such resource is SwedishPod101.com, which offers a complete Swedish language learning program. As a company, Innovative Language Learning has over 16 years of experience teaching people around the world new languages. We know what works. So if you want someone else to do all the heavy lifting on your behalf, then this may just be the solution you’re looking for!

Our program is built to maximize results by matching and customizing the content for your needs. And if you want even more personalization, you can opt to have a personal language expert guide you in building a personalized learning program that fits into your schedule and criteria.

Signup is free, and no credit card is required.

Happy learning!
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Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish

Your Ultimate Resource for Must-Know Advanced Swedish Words

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What are the first few words we learn in any language? 

They’re the most basic nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs that we need for daily interactions. But every language has advanced words that we don’t start learning until later on in our studies. 

Once you master the basics, you can begin leveling up and perfecting your language skills by setting your sights on more advanced vocabulary. Luckily, you won’t have to search very far to unearth these word gems. 

Below, we have compiled some of the most important advanced Swedish words for you to start studying.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish Table of Contents
  1. Advanced Academic Words
  2. Advanced Business Words
  3. Advanced Medical Words
  4. Advanced Legal Words
  5. Advanced Swedish Verbs
  6. Advanced Swedish Adjectives
  7. Advanced Swedish Adverbs
  8. Conclusion

1. Advanced Academic Words

A Woman at a Graduation Ceremony

Learning academic vocabulary is crucial. For many people, it’s one of the most challenging aspects of learning a foreign language. When I was in school, I had to memorize the definition of every vocabulary word. But the acquisition of foreign languages doesn’t quite work that way.

There are two main reasons for this. First, knowing the definition of a word doesn’t mean you know how to use it in a sentence. Second, the meaning of a word can vary slightly depending on the context.

In scientific studies, articles, and other academic texts, words are defined more concretely than in regular conversation. Additionally, words that have more than one meaning are often used differently in academic contexts than they are elsewhere. 

But let’s keep things simple here. Below are a few advanced Swedish words related to academia.

SwedishEnglishSwedish Example SentenceEnglish Example Sentence
Dock (adv.)HoweverDet stämmer dock inte.However, that is not true.
Relation (n.)Relation / Relationship1: Det finns ingen relation mellan händelserna.
2: De har inlett en relation tillsammans.
1: There’s no relation between the events.
2: They have started a relationship together.
Studie (n.)StudyResultatet presenteras i en ny studie.The result is presented in a new study.
Social (adj.)SocialHon är social och gillar andra människor.She is social and likes other people.
Begrepp (n.)ConceptDet är ett välkänt begrepp.It’s a well-known concept.
Form (n.)Form / ShapeDet är en form av kampsport.
Han är i god form innan tävlingen.
It’s a form of martial arts.
He’s in good shape before the competition.
Betydelse (n.)SignificanceDet är en bagatell och utan större betydelse.It’s a trifle and without much significance.
Analys (n.)AnalysisDet framgår i analysen.That is made clear in the analysis.
Utifrån (adv.)Based onDet gick bra utifrån omständigheterna.It went well based on the circumstances.
Perspektiv (n.)PerspectiveVåra perspektiv skiljer sig åt.Our perspectives differ.
Beskriva (v.)DescribeJag kan inte beskriva hur lycklig jag är.I cannot describe how happy I am.
Text (n.)TextNi behöver skriva en kort text om ämnet.You need to write a short text on the topic.
Innebära (v.)MeanDet kommer innebära slutet för oss!It will mean the end for us!
Exempelvis (adv.)For exampleDu kan exempelvis gå till sängs, eller läsa en bok.For example, you can go to bed or read a book.
Utgöra (v.)ConstituteDe kommer inte att utgöra ett hot länge till.They will not constitute a threat for long.
Orsak (n.)ReasonDet finns ingen orsak till oro.There is no reason for concern.
Såväl (con.)As wellHan har arbetat inrikes såväl som utrikes.He has worked domestically as well as abroad.
Enligt (prp.)According toDet går inte enligt dem.That’s not possible, according to them.
Därmed (adv.)ThusDärmed slutar vår saga så som den började.Thus ends our fairy tale as it began.
Diskussion (n.)DebateVi får ta upp det till diskussion på mötet.We will have to bring it up for discussion at the meeting.
Samband (n.)ConnectionDet finns inget samband mellan de två fallen.There is no connection between the two cases.
Forskning (n.)ResearchVi behöver mer forskning på ämnet.We need more research on the subject.
Dels (con.)PartlyDet är dels mitt fel, och dels hennes.It’s partly my fault, and partly hers.
Tolkning (n.)InterpretationSlutet är öppet för tolkning.The ending is open to interpretation.
Referera (v.)To referJag får lov att referera till expertis på området.I will have to refer to expertise in the field.

(Part of speech: n; noun, v; verb, adj; adjective, adv; adverb, prp; preposition, con; conjunction)

2. Advanced Business Words

A Businesswoman Surrounded by Sketches of Lightbulbs

In addition to academic words, business vocabulary is incredibly important. You’ll need to know this type of vocabulary before applying for a job or doing anything that requires a formal report/presentation.

In the professional world, we use many more advanced words than we do in everyday conversations. This is true even if our job doesn’t require any special training. 

For example, let’s say you encounter a difficult situation at work and want to talk about it with your boss. You might say something like, “That was an unfortunate circumstance.” If you were talking to anyone other than a superior, such as your friends or family, you would probably use the word “unlucky” instead. 

As you approach an advanced level in Swedish, becoming familiar with this special set of terminology will certainly give you a leg up in the business world. 

SwedishEnglishSwedish Example SentenceEnglish Example Sentence
Division (n.)DivisionVi studerar multiplikation och division.We study multiplication and division.
Huvudkontor (n.)Head officeVar ligger deras huvudkontor?Where is their head office?
Outsourcing (n.)OutsourcingHan fick sparken på grund av outsourcing.He was fired due to outsourcing.
Uppsägning (n.)TerminationDet räcker med en varning istället för uppsägning.A warning instead of termination is enough.
Tillgångar (n.)AssetsTillgångarna överstiger utgifterna.The assets exceed the expenses.
Lager (n.)StockOroa dig inte, vi har flera på lager.Don’t worry; we have several in stock.
Aktieägare (n.)ShareholderStyrelsens beslut lär inte vara populärt hos aktieägarna.The board’s decision is not likely to be popular with the shareholders.
Ränta (n.)Interest rateVad erbjuder banken för ränta?What interest rate does the bank offer?
Personalavdelning (n.)Human resources departmentHon arbetar vid personalavdelningen.She works in the human resources department.
Omsättning (n.)TurnoverOmsättningen ökade under det andra kvartalet.Turnover increased during the second quarter.
Medel (n.)FundsDet saknas medel till att investera.There are no funds to invest.
Dotterbolag (n.)SubsidiaryDe öppnade ett dotterbolag dit de kunde flytta kostnaderna.They opened a subsidiary where they could move the costs.
Avgift (n.)FeeDet tillkommer en avgift för sittplats.There is an additional fee for seating.
Lönebesked (n.)PayslipSkatten framgår på lönebeskedet.The tax appears on the payslip.
Partnerskap (n.)PartnershipDeras partnerskap var bräckligt.Their partnership was fragile.
Arbetsmarknad (n.)Labor marketArbetsmarknaden har återhämtat sig efter lågkonjunkturen.The labor market has recovered from the recession.
Kompensera (v.)CompensateVi kommer att kompensera dig för uppdraget.We will compensate you for the assignment.
Ansöka (v.)ApplyJag kommer att ansöka till tjänsten.I will apply for the position.
Gren (n.)BranchAvbrottet kommer att påverka samtliga grenar av företaget.The interruption will affect all branches of the company.
Bokföring (n.)AccountingDe kom undan med det på grund av kreativ bokföring.They got away with it because of creative accounting.
Registrerat  varumärke (n.)Registered trademarkProdukten lyder under ett registrerat varumärke och får inte kopieras utan tillstånd.The product is subject to a registered trademark and may not be copied without permission.
Konkurs (n.)BankruptcyOm inte vinsten ökas är en konkurs nära förestående.Unless the profit is increased, bankruptcy is imminent.
Affärsresa (n.)Business tripHan är på affärsresa, kan jag ta ett meddelande?He’s on a business trip; can I take a message?
Tillsvidareanställning (n.)Permanent contractEfter sex månader övergår det till en tillsvidareanställning.After six months, it will be changed to a permanent contract.
Visstidsanställning (n.)Fixed-term contractDe hittar alltid något skäl till att sparka en vid avslutat visstidsanställning.They always find some reason to fire you at the end of a fixed-term contract.
Chef (n.)BossDe kom relativt väl överens med chefen.They got along relatively well with the boss.

(Part of speech: n; noun, v; verb, adj; adjective, adv; adverb, prp; preposition, con; conjunction)

3. Advanced Medical Words

A Female Doctor

I’m not a doctor, but as someone who has had to visit the doctor on several occasions, I know how important it is to understand what’s being said. For me, the worst part about going to the doctor is feeling clueless and helpless. I feel a lot better when I can ask questions and get answers in my native language.

Luckily, in most countries, there are professional medical interpreters available to help you communicate with your doctor. If that’s not an option for you, use the following list of advanced Swedish words to start learning the most important medical vocabulary.

SwedishEnglishSwedish Example SentenceEnglish Example Sentence
Behandling (n.)TreatmentSom tur var svarade hon väl på behandling.Fortunately, she responded well to treatment.
Godartad (adj.)BenignDet är en godartad tumör.It is a benign tumor.
Sterilisera (v.)SterilizeNi behöver sterilisera verktygen innan operationen.You need to sterilize the tools before the operation.
Smittsam (adj.)ContagiousSjukdomen är inte smittsam.The disease is not contagious.
Bedöva (v.)AnesthetizeVi kommer att bedöva området innan det första snittet sker.We will anesthetize the area before the first incision is made.
Allergi (n.)AllergyHar du några allergier vi behöver känna till?Do you have any allergies we need to know about?
Blodtryck (n.)Blood pressureHan led av högt blodtryck på grund av övervikt.He was suffering from high blood pressure due to being overweight.
Fraktur (n.)FractureRöntgen visar på en fraktur i lårbenet.The X-ray shows a fracture in the femur.
Röntgen (n.)X-rayVi behöver ta röntgen för att se ifall en fraktur föreligger.We need to take an X-ray to see if there is a fracture.
Antibiotika (n.)AntibioticsEndast bakteriella infektioner kan behandlas med antibiotika.Only bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics.
Hjärtattack (n.)Heart attackHan avled i en hjärtattack.He died of a heart attack.
Immunförsvar (n.)Immune systemImmunförsvaret måste utmanas för att bli starkare.The immune system must be challenged to become stronger.
Blödning (n.)BleedingVi måste få stopp på blödningen innan vi syr igen såret.We have to stop the bleeding before we stitch up the wound.
Vaccinera (v.)VaccinateDet är en sjukdom som går att vaccinera mot.It is a disease that can be vaccinated against.
Recept (n.)PrescriptionDu behöver ett recept för att få det läkemedlet.You need a prescription to get that medicine.
Biverkan (n.)Side effectHögt blodtryck och yrsel är kända sidoeffekter hos medicineringen.High blood pressure and dizziness are known side effects of the medication.
Blodprov (n.)Blood testBlodprovet visade positivt för olagliga substanser.The blood test showed positive for illegal substances.
Influensa (n.)InfluenzaÅrets influensa ger en ovanligt hög feber.This year’s influenza gives an unusually high fever.
Klåda (n.)ItchingBetten kan leda till klåda och rodnad.The bite can lead to itching and redness.
Menstruation (n.)MenstruationGraviditetstest tas vid försenad menstruation.Pregnancy tests are taken in case of delayed menstruation.
Svalg (n.)PharynxPatienten har halsont med synbar rodnad i svalget.The patient has a sore throat with visible redness in the pharynx.
Mage (n.)StomachFör mycket kryddor gjorde att hon fick ont i magen.Too much spice made her stomach ache.
Ryggrad (n.)SpineEfter olyckan var de noga med att ryggraden hölls stilla.After the accident, they made sure that the spine was kept still.
Revben (n.)RibsHan knäckte ett revben i matchen.He broke a rib in the match.
Lungor (n.)LungsLungorna är skadade av rökning.The lungs are damaged by smoking.
Infektion (n.)InfectionVi behandlar infektionen med antibiotika.We treat the infection with antibiotics.

(Part of speech: n; noun, v; verb, adj; adjective, adv; adverb, prp; preposition, con; conjunction)

4. Advanced Legal Words

A Lawyer Holding a Scale

The next set of advanced Swedish vocabulary we’ll look at consists of words related to the law. Keep in mind that legal terms can vary slightly depending on the country or region you live in, as well as the legal system you’re referring to. 

For example, in the United States, words like “district attorney” and “prosecutor” have different meanings than they do in the United Kingdom. But no matter where you live, it’s important to understand basic terms like “murder” and “assault.”

For both legal professionals and the general public, knowing these words is essential. This is especially true if you frequently engage with legal professionals in your personal or professional life. For example, if you need to hire a lawyer or go through the court system, being familiar with basic legal terms will help you communicate with your attorney.

Legal words are particularly difficult for many people to learn because they’re generally abstract and complex. They also tend to have multiple meanings. 

The list below will help you get started with legal vocabulary in Swedish. 

SwedishEnglishSwedish Example SentenceEnglish Example Sentence
Auktoriserad (adj.)AuthorizedVi hänvisar dig till en auktoriserad återförsäljare.We refer you to an authorized dealer.
Förlikning (n.)SettlementDe två parterna nådde en förlikning.The two parties reached a settlement.
Brottsregister (n.)Criminal recordBrottsregister kommer att kontrolleras under anställningsprocessen.Criminal records will be checked during the recruitment process.
Appellationsdomstol (n.)Court of appealsYtterligare klagomål får du ta upp med appellationsdomstolen.You can take up further complaints with the court of appeals.
Juridiskt biträde (n.)Legal counselOffret saknade juridiskt biträde.The victim lacked legal counsel.
Rättslig (adj.)LegalDet är osannolikt att det leder till rättslig påföljd.It is unlikely that it will lead to legal repercussions.
Bevis (n.)EvidenceVad har ni för bevis för påståendet?What evidence do you have for the claim?
Kalla (v.)SummonMålsäganden kallar sitt första vittne.Plaintiffs summon their first witness.
Juridiska ombud (n.)Legal representativeSom anklagad har du rätt till juridiskt ombud.As an accused, you have the right to a legal representative.
Registrera (v.)RegisterDet är registrerat till protokollet.It is registered to the protocol.
Tvist (n.)DisputeHalva styrelsen är inblandade i rättsliga tvister.Half the board is involved in legal disputes.
Husrannsakan (n.)WarrantUtan husrannsakan kommer ni inte in!Without a warrant, you will not enter!
Företrädare (n.)RepresentativeJag är företrädare i fallet då den drabbade på grund av sina skador inte kan närvara.I am a representative in the case as the victim is unable to attend due to his injuries.
Notarie (n.)NotaryVi ber notarien stryka det från protokollet.We ask the notary to delete it from the minutes.
Skjuta upp (v.)PostponeVi har inget annat val än att skjuta upp det till ett senare tillfälle.We have no choice but to postpone it to a later date.
Rättegång (n.)TrialNi kommer att kallas till rättegång då åklagaren har tillräcklig bevisning.You will be called to trial when the prosecutor has sufficient evidence.
Allmän åklagare (n.)Public prosecutorSom allmän åklagare har hon ont om tid.As a public prosecutor, she is short of time.
Hävda (v.)ClaimDu hävdar alltså att någon planterade bevismaterialet på dig?So, you claim that someone planted the evidence on you?
Betalning (n.)PaymentSkulle betalningen vara sen tillkommer en straffavgift.Should the payment be late, a penalty fee will be added.
Kidnappning (n.)KidnappingPolisen utreder just nu brottet som en kidnappning.Police are currently investigating the crime as a kidnapping.
Angripare (n.)AssailantAngriparen var tydligt berusad.The assailant was clearly intoxicated.
Bestickning (n.)BriberyHan meddelades avsked på grund av bestickning.He was fired due to bribery.
Inbrott (n.)BurglaryGemene man vill att inbrott bestraffas betydligt hårdare.The common man wants burglary to be punished much more severely.
Utpressning (n.)BlackmailBilderna användes för utpressning.The pictures were used for blackmail.
Hot (n.)ThreatDe fick ett antal hot via sociala medier.They received a number of threats via social media.
Misshandel (n.)AssaultHan var anklagad för misshandel, men hävdade självförsvar.He was accused of assault, but claimed self-defense.

(Part of speech: n; noun, v; verb, adj; adjective, adv; adverb, prp; preposition, con; conjunction)

5. Advanced Swedish Verbs

At this stage in your Swedish learning journey, you probably know quite a lot of nouns and pronouns. Now, let’s move on to something equally important: Swedish verbs

In the English language, verbs can be either regular or irregular. Regular verbs are those that follow predictable conjugation patterns to form the past, present, and future tenses. For example, they’re conjugated for the past tense by adding “-ed” or “-d” to the end of the verb: “walked.”

By contrast, verbs that are considered irregular need an entirely different structure to form the past, present, and future tenses. For example, the past tense of “sing” is “sang,” not “singed.”

Even though there are irregular verbs in Swedish, many speakers of Romance languages (like French and Italian) find it really easy to learn most Swedish verbs because their conjugation is so simple.

Additionally, many common verbs in the Swedish language are very similar to English verbs, but with a unique pronunciation.

For example, in English, we say “I have a home” and “I had a home.” In Swedish, that comes out as Jag har ett hem and Jag hade ett hem. In this case, the perfect tense of “had” and hade surely tells the tale that these are closely related languages.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important verbs you’ll want to learn in the Swedish language.

SwedishEnglishSwedish Example SentenceEnglish Example Sentence
Att börjaTo startJag börjar varje morgon med frukost.I start each morning with breakfast.
Att länkaTo linkGenom att länka till sidan ökar dess popularitet.By linking to the page, its popularity increases.
Att skrivaTo writeJag älskar att skriva brev.I love writing letters.
Att utseTo nominateVi kommer att utse dig till borgmästare.We will appoint you mayor.
Att visaTo showGlöm inte att visa din legitimation.Do not forget to show your ID.
Att berömmaTo praiseDet är viktigt att berömma dem då de gör något bra.It is important to praise them when they do something good.
Att haTo haveDet är bra att ha mat i skafferiet.It is good to have food in the pantry.
Att sägaTo sayJag har en hel del att säga till skolstyrelsen.I have a lot to say to the school board.
Att deltaTo participateDe riktigt små barnen får pris bara för att delta.The really small children get a prize just for participating.
Att initieraTo initiateNär du är redo kan du initiera startproceduren.When you are ready, you can initiate the startup procedure.
Att balanseraTo balanceHan balanserade på en lina mellan två skyskrapor.He balanced on a rope between two skyscrapers.
Att omfamnaTo embraceLåt mig omfamna er i all vänskaplighet!Let me embrace you in friendship!
Att förbättraTo enhanceMinneskorten kommer att förbättra datorprestandan avsevärt.The memory cards will significantly improve computer performance.
Att utvecklaTo elaborateKan du utveckla argumentet lite närmare?Can you elaborate on the argument a little further?
Att samarbetaTo collaborateJag tror vi kan lyckas om vi samarbetar.I believe we can succeed if we cooperate.
Att framkallaTo evokeFilmen framkallade sentimentala minnen hos mig.The film evoked sentimental memories in me.
Att särskiljaTo distinguishDet är svårt att särskilja årets modell från de tidigare.It is difficult to distinguish this year’s model from the previous ones.
Att artikuleraTo articulateFörsök att artikulera bättre för ökad förståelse.Try to articulate better for greater understanding.

6. Advanced Swedish Adjectives

As you might have guessed, advanced Swedish adjectives are very similar to those in the English language. However, there are some slight spelling and pronunciation changes when converting an English adjective into Swedish.

For example, the English adjective “good” is irregular and declines as “better” and “best.” The Swedish word for “good” is bra, and the similarities can be seen in the likewise irregular comparative and superlative forms bättre and bäst.

Swedish adjectives also decline based on gender to some extent. Let’s see an example using the superlative “best”:  

  • Vi behöver den bäste mannen för jobbet. (“We need the best man for the job.”)
  • Vi behöver den bästa kvinnan för jobbet. (“We need the best woman for the job.”)

It may take time to get used to these changes, but once you do, speaking Swedish will become much easier. In fact, you’ll start to pick up on them even before you’ve completely mastered the words. 

Here are some advanced Swedish adjectives you may not have learned yet.

SwedishEnglishSwedish Example SentenceEnglish Example Sentence
GrundläggandeFundamentalRätten till liv är en grundläggande rättighet.The right to life is a fundamental right.
BekvämComfortableHemleverans är en bekväm lösning.Home delivery is a comfortable solution.
AnnorlundaDifferentHon bar en något annorlunda jacka, med lila tofsar.She wore a somewhat different jacket, with purple tassels.
LättEasyDet är inte alltid lätt att stiga upp på morgonen.Getting up in the morning is not always easy.
SvårDifficultDet är en svår fråga, kan du ge mig en ledtråd?That’s a difficult question; can you give me a clue?
KnepigTrickyVi har hamnat i en knepig situation utan uppenbar lösning.We have ended up in a tricky situation without an obvious solution.
ObekvämInconvenientJag blev obekväm i deras sällskap och valde att gå hem.I became uncomfortable in their company and chose to go home.
JobbigAnnoyingHan kunde bli jobbig ibland då han kände sig utanför.He could become annoying sometimes when he felt left out.
KritiskCriticalDetta är en kritisk situation och vi måste agera snabbt!This is a critical situation, and we must act quickly!
SjälvständigIndependentDet är en självständig nation och vi saknar auktoritet där.It is an independent nation and we lack authority there.
KompliceradComplicatedDet är en komplicerad maskin som jag inte förstår mig på.It’s a complicated machine that I do not understand.
TekniskTechnicalVårt tekniska kunnande leder oss till framgång.Our technical know-how leads us to success.
LyckligHappySagan fick ett lyckligt slut.The story had a happy ending.
UnderhållandeEntertainingDet var en underhållande film.It was an entertaining movie.
UppfriskandeRefreshingVill du ha något uppfriskande att dricka?Do you want something refreshing to drink?
GammaldagsOld-fashionedDet är en gammaldags lösning, men alltjämt effektiv.It is an old-fashioned solution, but still effective.
SegrandeVictoriousVi gick segrande ur kampen.We emerged victorious from the battle.
CharmigCharmingHan var oerhört charmig och alla tyckte om honom.He was extremely charming, and everyone liked him.

7. Advanced Swedish Adverbs

Just like with English, many adjectives in Swedish can be transformed into adverbs by simply adding a suffix.

For example, the English adjective “quick” can easily be changed into the adverb “quickly” by adding the suffix “-ly.” The Swedish adjective with the same meaning is snabb, which can be changed into the adverb snabbt. The Swedish suffix most commonly used for this purpose is, as you might have guessed, “-t.”

There are, of course, many adverbs that are not directly linked to an adjective, but they are quite often similar to their English counterparts as well. For example: 

  • Soon (Snart)
  • Afterward (Efteråt)
  • Often (Ofta)

It might take some time for you to get used to writing Swedish adverbs. However, the good news is that it’s not so difficult to learn the most common ones.

SwedishEnglishSwedish Example SentenceEnglish Example Sentence
EnkeltEasilyHan lyfte enkelt vikten över huvudet.He easily lifted the weight over his head.
NuNowJag går hem nu.I’m going home now.
FöreBeforeÄt inte godis före middagen.Do not eat sweets before dinner.
MerMoreJag vill ha mer kaka!I want more cake!
OnormaltAbnormallyDu sover onormalt mycket nu för tiden.You sleep abnormally much these days.
HopplöstHopelesslyHon är hopplöst förälskad i honom.She is hopelessly in love with him.
TvivelaktigtDoubtfullyHan såg tvivelaktigt på mig.He looked at me doubtfully.
LjudligtNoisilyVagnen rullade ljudligt in på gården.The cart rolled noisily into the yard.
IntensivtIntenselyMan kunde höra någon intensivt skratta från grannrummet.You could hear someone intensely laughing from the next room.
IntressantInterestinglyIntressant nog pågår seden fortfarande.Interestingly enough, the custom is still going on.
OväntatUnexpectedlyHan sparkade oväntat upp dörren.He unexpectedly kicked the door open.
MotvilligtReluctantlyHon skrattade motvilligt åt det grova skämtet.She laughed reluctantly at the crude joke.
OerhörtTremendouslyDet är en oerhört imponerande trädgård du har!It is a tremendously impressive garden you have!
OptimistisktOptimisticallyNu är det viktigt att vi ser optimistiskt på saken.At this point, it is important that we look at the matter optimistically.
KnapptBarelyHan hade knappt fyll sju år.He had barely celebrated his seventh birthday.
LydigtObedientlyDe slog lydigt undan med blicken.They obediently looked away.
AlltidAlwaysDet finns alltid plats för en till.There is always room for one more.
RasandeFuriouslyHan sprang rasande efter dem.He ran furiously after them.

8. Conclusion

It’s easy to get comfortable with the words you know in Swedish, but a challenge awaits for those who want to learn more. 

Learning advanced Swedish vocabulary is necessary if you need to discuss legal issues with a lawyer, explain health concerns to a doctor, or attend university in this beautiful country. Luckily, there are many resources available to help people learn the basics and level up to native-like fluency. 

SwedishPod101 is the most comprehensive resource you could lay your hands on. Here, you can find thousands of lessons in audio, video, and text format—all designed to help you learn Swedish in the fastest, easiest, and most fun way possible. 

Happy learning!
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Learn the Names of Animals in Spanish

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Animals may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “Sweden.”

Maybe you think about the delicious Swedish meatballs you had that one time. Or maybe the sailing enthusiasts you’ve seen on Instagram. While this Nordic country is known for those things and more, what it’s not given enough credit for is its stunning diversity of wildlife.

Learning animal names in Swedish will help you describe and talk about the huge number of wild creatures that call Sweden home. Moose, beavers, wolves, brown bears, arctic foxes, wolverines, lynxes, wild boars, otters…and the list goes on. There are even tours dedicated to finding specific animals (like lynxes) in the wilderness. As such, learning the names of animals in Swedish will be essential if you like to travel or consider yourself a serious animal lover. 

In this article, we’ve compiled several vocabulary lists for different kinds of animals and broken them down by category for you. 

Without further ado, let’s dig right in…

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish Table of Contents
  1. At Home (Pets)
  2. On the Farm (Farm Animals)
  3. In the Wild / Forest / Safari (Land Animals)
  4. Bugs and Insects
  5. In the Ocean (Aquatic / Marine Animals)
  6. Reptiles & Amphibians
  7. Birds
  8. Animal Body Parts
  9. Animal-Related Idioms and Slang Expressions
  10. Conclusion

1. At Home (Pets)

Hamster

Swedes treat their pets like family. The sense of equality that’s dominant in Sweden also covers animals; they’re considered so much more than just a creature that needs to be fed. To give you an idea, many Swedes even work their schedule around their pets’ needs! 

More and more Swedish companies are allowing their employees to bring their pets to work, and pets (especially dogs) go with their owners on vacation. Dog owners in Sweden always seem to be walking their dogs, and there’s plenty of space for them to enjoy thanks to the country’s abundance of nature. 

Swedes take pride in owning their dogs, and it’s considered strange to have one’s dog left out to play around or do “normal” activities. You’re expected to have your dog participate in events and competitions, and to make it a member of a dog association or club.

In other words, dogs are the 24/7 companions of Swedes.

While dogs are Swedes’ personal favorite pet, other animals are not so uncommon. Below is a list of nine housepets you may stumble upon in Sweden:

Katt“Cat”
Hund“Dog”
Hamster“Hamster”
Kanin“Rabbit”
Mus“Mouse”
Råtta“Rat”
Marsvin“Guinea pig”
Guldfisk“Goldfish”
Papegoja“Parrot”

2. On the Farm (Farm Animals)


Young Lady Farming

Agriculture in Sweden is not evenly distributed among the country’s regions. This is because it makes more sense to use the mountainous parts for forestry rather than farming activities. The farther south you go, the more agricultural land you’ll find. Still, not that many plant types can be grown here, given the limitations imposed by the weather and short growing seasons.

Only 1.5% of Sweden’s working population is involved in agriculture. Traditional farming is not very common in the country, though urban farming is on the rise as people are becoming more environmentally aware. Many Swedes now prefer to grow their own produce, be it in their apartment or their home garden in the suburbs.

Below is a list of farm animals in Swedish along with their English translations:

Ko“Cow”
Gris“Pig”
Får“Sheep”
Get“Goat”
Häst“Horse”
Höna“Hen”
Kalkon“Turkey”
Gås“Goose”
Anka“Duck”
Tupp“Rooster”

Hungry for even more vocabulary? Then head over to our lesson on farm animals in Sweden to learn the names of even more animals! 

3. In the Wild / Forest / Safari (Land Animals)

Brown Bear

Sweden is home to several predators, including bears, lynxes, wolves, and wolverines. Sweden is one of the largest European countries, yet it has the second-lowest population density. This gives the country tons of free space for animals to roam far away from humans. 

You can experience Swedish wildlife anywhere, from private or public forests to national parks. Still, a big misconception about Sweden is that predators roam the streets. The truth is that large predators are rarely seen out and about unless you go out for the sole purpose of finding them in certain areas.

Given the low attack rates, experts describe Swedish nature as perfect for those looking to experience wildlife and camping without facing serious predator danger. The only danger lurking in the forests of Sweden is not large animals, but rather what we’ll cover in the next section.

But first, here’s a comprehensive list of wild animals in Swedish:

Björn“Bear”
Varg“Wolf”
Rådjur“Deer”
Hare“Hare”
Räv“Fox”
Igelkott“Hedgehog”
Ekorre“Squirrel”
Vildsvin“Boar”
Groundhog“Groundhog”
Lejon“Lion”
Tiger“Tiger”
Jaguar“Jaguar”
Panter“Panther”
Elefant“Elephant”
Giraff“Giraffe”
Apa“Monkey”
Gorilla“Gorilla”
Känguru“Kangaroo”
Koala“Koala”
Panda“Panda”
Sengångare“Sloth”
Säl“Seal”
Pingvin“Penguin”
Isbjörn“Polar bear”
Valross“Walrus”

Enthralled by wild animals? Then you’ll love our lesson on forest animal vocabulary!

4. Bugs and Insects

Red Ladybug

I don’t mean to scare you off, but wasps are the #1 cause of death inflicted by animals in Sweden.

Surprising, right?

Wasps, along with bees, represent a real danger to those who are allergic to the two insects’ bites. If you’re not allergic to either, then you’re good to go. But if you are, you might want to take some precautions before you go wandering around in Swedish nature.

Oh, wait! There are still ticks to talk about. Did you know they carry diseases such as Lyme and TBE (tick-borne encephalitis)?

Below are the names of thirteen insects and bugs in Swedish:

Bi“Bee”
Geting“Wasp”
Mygga“Mosquito”
Fluga“Fly”
Spindel“Spider”
Gräshoppa“Grasshopper”
Kackerlacka“Cockroach”
Fjäril“Butterfly”
Myra“Ant”
Mal“Moth”
Snigel“Snail”
Snigel“Slug”
Fästing“Tick”

5. In the Ocean (Aquatic / Marine Animals)

Sea with Fish

Like Denmark and Germany, Sweden borders both Kattegat (from the West) and the Baltic Sea (from the Southeast). It also borders the Gulf of Bothnia from the Northeast.

In addition, Southern Sweden features several lowland lakes with a variety of marine animals, with the biggest lake in the country being Lake Vänern. 

Angling and fishing are popular and make for a fun experience in Sweden. Just make sure you follow Swedish fishing rules, and you’ll go home with a variety of fish such as salmon, zander, and trout.

Below you’ll find the names of the most common aquatic animals in Swedish:

Fisk“Fish”
Öring“Trout”
Gös“Zander”
Lax“Salmon”
Haj“Shark”
Delfin“Dolphin”
Val“Whale”
Sjölejon“Sealion”
Manet“Jellyfish”
Bläckfisk“Octopus”
Sjöhäst“Seahorse”
Sjöborre“Urchin”
Sjöstjärna“Starfish”
Mussla“Mussel”
Sjögurka“Sea cucumber”

6. Reptiles & Amphibians

Cute Turtle

There are reptiles all over Sweden, though there’s not much to worry about in the wilderness. The venom of the only venomous snake in Sweden (the common European viper, a.k.a. the “adder”) is not strong enough to kill a human being.

Groda“Frog”
Padda“Toad”
Krokodil“Crocodile”
Ödla“Lizard”
Sköldpadda“Turtle”
Havssköldpadda“Sea turtle”
Orm“Snake”

7. Birds

Birds in a Cage

There are a variety of beautiful birds living in Sweden, most notably the country’s national bird—the common blackbird.

Here’s a list of the nine most common birds in Sweden: 

Duva“Pigeon”
Fiskmås“Seagull”
Kråka“Crow”
Örn“Eagle”
Duva“Dove”
Uggla“Owl”
Skata“Magpie”
Sparv“Sparrow”
Påfågel“Peacock”

8. Animal Body Parts

Now that you know the names of several different animals in the Swedish language, let’s go over another essential vocabulary set: animal body parts. Knowing these words will help you better describe the animals you come across, so learn them well! 

Svans“Tail”
Hår“Hair”
Päls“Fur”
Tand“Tooth”
Huggtand“Fang”
Klo“Claw”
Horn“Horn”
Hov“Hoof”
Fjäder“Feather”
Vinge“Wing”
Näbb“Beak”
Mun“Mouth”
Fena“Fin”
Tentakel“Tentacle”
Man“Mane”
Snabel“Trunk”
Bete“Tusk”
Antenn“Antenna”
Tagg“Dart”
Ben“Leg”
Fjäll“Scale”
Tass“Paw”

9. Animal-Related Idioms and Slang Expressions


Smutsig som en gris“Dirty as a pig”
Tjock som en gris“Fat as a pig”
Tyst som en mus“Silent as a mouse”
Arg som ett bi“Angry as a bee”
Modig som ett lejon“Brave as a lion”
Full som ett svin“Drunk as a pig”
From som ett lamm“Meek as a lamb”

10. Conclusion

Congratulations for getting this far!

In addition to learning the names of different animals in Swedish, you’ve become familiar with the names of animal body parts and even a few animal-related expressions used in Sweden. To practice, drop us a comment with the name of your favorite animal (or animals) in Swedish!

Want to impress native speakers even more? Or feel like there are some dots you need to connect for your Swedish to really come together? 

SwedishPod101 is an effective learning system you can utilize to go from “okay” Swedish to native-like fluency. 

We help beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners master the most Swedish in the least amount of time possible.

SwedishPod101.com hosts thousands of audio, video, and text lessons, all of which come with transcripts and cheat sheets to help you practice every topic in greater depth.

Moreover, our system integrates some very effective learning tools. The pronunciation comparison feature, line-by-line breakdowns, online flashcards, and more make SwedishPod101 a comprehensive tool for learners at every level.

You can even opt for a personalized learning program by one of our native Swedish-speaking language experts.

Access all of these perks (and more) by signing up for free at SwedishPod101.com!

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30 Practical Swedish Phone Call Expressions

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With the advance of technology, more and more of us hide behind texting, Facebook, Instagram, and more.

We all want to respond to people on our own schedule, and at our convenience.

But guess what?

There will always come a moment when you get a phone call you have to take or need to make one yourself. You can’t refuse the call from the delivery guy, and you definitely won’t want to refuse the phone interview for your dream job. 

It always comes down to making those phone calls

As such, language learners will benefit from memorizing some Swedish phone call expressions, even in our SMS-based world. 

But phone anxiety is bad enough in one’s native language, let alone in a foreign language like Swedish! 

Just picture the delivery guy calling so you can help them find your home, and the only language they speak is Swedish. 

Know how to start the conversation? Ask them to switch to text? Or even agree with them on a meeting point?

To give you a headstart, SwedishPod101 has compiled this handy list of 30 Swedish telephone call phrases. We’ve also provided two bonus sample conversations at the end of this article!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish Table of Contents
  1. Picking up the Phone
  2. Saying Who You Are
  3. Stating the Reason for Your Call
  4. Asking to Speak to Someone
  5. Asking Someone to Wait
  6. Leaving a Message
  7. Asking for Clarification
  8. Ending the Phone Call
  9. Sample Phone Conversations
  10. Conclusion

1. Picking up the Phone

Woman Lying on the Carpet and Talking on the Phone

Swedes have a unique way of picking up the phone. They start the call by mentioning whose home you’re “at” (if you happen to be calling someone’s home). The basic expression is: 

At [homeowner’s name].
Hos [homeowner’s name].

An extended version of this expression is to start with your first name:

[First name] at [homeowner’s name].
[First name] hos [homeowner’s name].

Besides these unique Swedish expressions, you can use others that are similar to those commonly used in English. 

This magic word is as informal as it gets: 

Howdy.
Hejsan.

And if you want something a little less informal, you can use:

Hello.
Hallå.

And for formal calls, use one of these two phrases:

Good day.
God dag.

[First name. / Family name.]

2. Saying Who You Are

Blonde Woman Smiling while Talking on the Phone at Work

This may not be relevant when talking with acquaintances or friends, but it’s a crucial part of formal phone calls or conversations with strangers. 

This is [name].
Det här är [namn].

This is [name], from [company].
Det här är [namn], från [företag].

3. Stating the Reason for Your Call

Rehearsing this part to mastery is a must. You’ll want to clearly express the purpose of your call and leave no room for mumbling. Otherwise, your call will be pretty much pointless. Here are a few expressions you can use: 

I’m calling to ask… / confirm… / make a reservation…
Jag ringer för att fråga … / bekräfta … / göra en reservation…

I’d like to speak to someone about… 
Jag skulle vilja prata med någon om…

I’m returning your call.
Jag svarar på ditt samtal.

4. Asking to Speak to Someone

An Asian Man Pressing a Button while Talking on the Phone

Sometimes, the person who picks up the phone is not the person you intended to call. In that case, there are a few ways you can ask to be handed over to the correct person: 

May I speak to…?  
Kan jag få tala med…?

Is [name] there? 
Finns [namn] där?

Is Mr. Andersson in office today?
Är herr Andersson i tjänst idag?

Is Mr. Gustavsson available now?
Är Mr. Gustavsson tillgänglig nu?

5. Asking Someone to Wait

A Woman Handwriting in a Notebook during a Phone Call

Especially in formal contexts, it’s common to have to put someone on hold for a couple of minutes. Here are three ways you can politely ask someone to wait: 

Just a moment, let me check. 
Ett ögonblick, låt mig kolla.

I’ll put you on hold for a second. 
Jag låter dig vänta en stund.

Let me transfer you to his office. Stay on the line, please. 
Låt mig koppla dig till hans kontor. Stanna kvar på linjen tack.

6. Leaving a Message

If the person you wish to speak to is not available, you may be able to leave a voicemail or have a message relayed to them. Here are some phrases you can use to leave a message in Swedish over the phone: 

Please let him know… 
Var god låt honom veta…

Can I leave a message? 
Kan jag lämna ett meddelande?

Can you tell him to call me back at [phone number]? 
Kan du be honom ringa mig på [telefonnummer]?

7. Asking for Clarification

A Surprised Business Woman on a Call

As a non-native speaker making a phone call in Swedish, you may need to ask for clarification at some point. This is nothing to be embarrassed about! Below are a few expressions you can use to make sure you understand what the other person is saying. 

Sorry, could you say that again?
Ursäkta, kan du säga det igen?

I’m sorry, but I’m having a hard time hearing you. I think there’s a bad connection.
Jag beklagar, men jag har svårt att höra dig. Jag tror att anslutningen är dålig.

Could you spell your name for me, please? 
Kan du bokstavera ditt namn åt mig är du snäll?

Just to double check… 
Bara för att dubbelkolla…

8. Ending the Phone Call

Whether your call was a success or not, you should aim to leave a good final impression. Here are some ways you can end a conversation over the phone in Swedish: 

Anything else I can help with? 
Något annat jag kan hjälpa till med?

You’ve been very helpful. Thank you. 
Du har varit till stor hjälp. Tack.

See you at ___ on ___.
Vi ses kl ___ på ___.

Have a great day. 
Ha en bra dag.

It’s been a pleasure talking to you.
Det har varit ett nöje att prata med dig.

9. Sample Phone Conversations 

Finally, let’s make sure you know how to use the phrases we covered! Here are two sample Swedish phone conversations, one informal and one formal. 

Informal phone conversation

Two friends are setting up a time to meet for a Swedish fika on a weekend. Here’s a short conversation they’ve had on the phone:

Lars: Hallå.
Mikael: Hallå.

Lars: Hello.
Mikael: Hello.

Lars: Hur mår du?
Mikael: Bra. Jag studerar för en examen. Och du då?

Lars: How are you doing?
Mikael: Good. I’m studying for an exam. How about you?

Lars: Jag mår bra tack. Jag läser en bok.
Mikael: Trevligt. 

Lars: I’m good, thanks. I’m reading a book.
Mikael: Nice.

Lars: Är du i stan under helgen?
Mikael: Ja, har du några planer?

Lars: You’re in town on the weekend?
Mikael: Yes, you have any plans?

Lars: Vill du gå på fika i helgen?
Mikael: Ja, varför inte! När?

Lars: Want to go for fika this weekend?
Mikael: Yeah, why not! When?

Lars: På eftermiddagen.
Mikael: Kan du gå ut klockan 2 på eftermiddagen?

Lars: In the afternoon.
Mikael: Can you go out at two in the afternoon?

Lars: Jag föredrar 3.
Mikael: Låter bra.

Lars: I prefer three.
Mikael: Sounds good.

Lars: Vi ses då.
Mikael: Vi ses då, hejdå!

Lars: See you then.
Mikael: See you then, bye!

Formal phone conversation

After they’ve set the time and place, one of the friends calls the fika café to reserve a table. Here’s the phone conversation he had: 

Lars: God dag!
Receptionist: Fika Kafé Stockholm – God dag!

Lars: Good day!
Receptionist: Fika Kafé Stockholm – Good day!

Lars: Jag skulle vilja boka bord för två.
Receptionist: Visst, vi har slut på bord idag, men du kan boka för imorgon.

Lars: I would like to reserve a table for two.
Receptionist: Sure, we’re out of tables today, but you can make a reservation for tomorrow.

Lars: Jag skulle faktiskt vilja ha ett bord till på lördag.
Receptionist: Visst. Vilken tid?

Lars: Actually, I’d like a table for Saturday.
Receptionist: Sure. What time?

Lars: 3 på eftermiddagen, tack.
Receptionist: Låter bra. Och vad är ditt namn?

Lars: Three in the afternoon, please.
Receptionist: Sounds good. And what’s your name?

Lars: Lars Johansson.
Receptionist: Perfekt, Lars. Vi ses till helgen!

Lars: Lars Johansson.
Receptionist: Perfect, Lars. See you on the weekend!

Lars: Tack, jag ser fram emot det!
Receptionist: Hejdå!

Lars: Thanks, I’m looking forward to that!
Receptionist: Bye!

10. Conclusion

Congratulations for making it this far. 

It’s safe to say that you’re now armed with enough Swedish phone call phrases to take care of your day-to-day business. You won’t have to be all shaky on your next call or worry as much about what to say next. 

Are there any other phone phrases you need to memorize or situations you’d like to learn how to handle? Let us know in the comments! 

As long as you’re conversing with an understanding native speaker, mastering even just a few of the expressions here will be enough to help you get your point across.

But honestly, why not learn even more useful Swedish phrases? You might want to learn how to give directions, talk about the weather (the number-one topic for small talk in Sweden), or even talk about your day in Swedish.

Considering Swedes’ “cold” culture, learning more of their language will only make it easier for you to break the ice and join any social circles around you.

Wondering where to start? 

Look no further than SwedishPod101.

Our website provides a full range of digital lessons to help you go from beginner to master in record time.

This is possible thanks to the proven, up-to-date learning systems and features incorporated within our platform: slowed-down audio, line-by-line vocabulary breakdowns, pronunciation comparison tools, and more.

All with the possibility of working with a tutor who can help answer any questions.

Signup is free and fast, and no credit card is required.

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Impress Your Date: Phrases to Express Your Love in Swedish

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If you google “dating in Sweden,” you’ll get loads of negative results and failure stories:

“Swedes have no dating culture.”
“Swedes just hang out and never date.”
“Swedes stay in their circles.”

Considering the nation’s strong emphasis on gender equality, Swedish women tend to be less dependent on men compared to women in some other countries. In addition, government-supported childcare makes it easier for mothers to be self-dependent.

But that doesn’t mean romance is dead! In fact, Swedes are very warm and loyal once you’ve developed a bond with them. Learning how to express your love in Swedish will greatly benefit you, whether you’re fetching for something long-term (like marriage) or pining for a more short-term, no-strings-attached arrangement. Sweden is actually the perfect place to land a casual relationship, as this is what most Swedes are looking for. 

One of the best ways to win a Swede’s affection is to make an effort to learn their language, even if it’s only a few words and phrases. After all: 

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.

See a pattern there? 

Big effort for a big reward.

In this blog post, we’ll be covering the best expressions for picking up your Swede, dating them, or even getting married—not to mention everything in-between.

While most Swedes speak fluent English, it’s good to spice things up with some Swedish to show your partner how interested you really are. 

Without further ado, here are your 30+ Swedish love phrases.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish Table of Contents
  1. Confess Your Affection: Pick-up Lines and More
  2. Fall in Deeper: “I Love You,” and More
  3. Take it One Step Further: “Will You Marry Me?” and More
  4. Endearment Terms
  5. Must-know Love Quotes
  6. Conclusion

1. Confess Your Affection: Pick-up Lines and More

A Couple Holding Hands and Smiling

All great things come from small beginnings. This means that your initial interaction needs skillful execution—no matter how small a gesture or phrase you use. And what’s a better execution than surprising your future date with some Swedish skills?

Before we get into the expressions below, it’s worth noting a few things about the dating culture in Sweden

Swedes are very outdoorsy people. As they like to say: Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder. / “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.” 

So you should expect your dates to take place somewhere like a bokskogen (beech tree forest) or by the seaside! It’s probably not going to be a boring date, especially if you bring some charcoal with you for a quick BBQ on one of the free park fire pits.

Alternatively, you might go for the typical Swedish snack break en fika to get coffee and a pastry. This should be your go-to option for a first date, especially if you haven’t met the person before.

It’s worth noting that after your first date, you’re expected to be exclusive. So, no dating around until you and your Swede decide to part ways.

Now that you have a good idea of how things work in Sweden, here are seven expressions to ask your Swede out. 

  • Do you want to go out on a date with me?
    Vill du gå på dejt med mig?

Swedes rarely make the first move, so you’ll probably have to do that for them. With Sweden being one of the best countries for gender equality, there are no unspoken gender roles. As such, you’ll likely be expected to make the first move even if you’re a woman.

  • Will you be my valentine? 
    Vill du bli min valentine?

Until recently, Valentine’s Day was largely overlooked in Sweden. But it’s continuously flourishing and becoming more important to the younger generation.

A fun fact is that Swedes have a unique name for Valentine’s Day. They call it alla hjärtans dag, which literally translates to “all hearts day.” It’s worth noting that Swedes pronounce the word “valentine” just as it’s pronounced in English. 

  • You mean so much to me.
    Du betyder så mycket för mig.

This sentence is great for affirming your appreciation for your partner, and it sends a clear sign of interest. You can use this sentence while hanging out or texting before you ask for a date.

  • I think of you as more than a friend. 
    Jag ser dig som mer än en vän.

Stuck in the friendzone and not sure how to get out? Text this sentence and see how far things will go. Worst case scenario is you’ll impress your desired date with your Swedish skills, even if they don’t feel the same way. 

  • I’ve got a crush on you. 
    Jag är förtjust i dig.

Looking for a crush confession text? Drop this phrase in your conversation and keep your fingers crossed. 

  • You’re so beautiful. 
    Du är så vacker.

Loving those Swedish features of your female date? You might wanna let her know before asking her out. 

  • You’re so handsome.
    Du är så snygg.

If you want your desired male date to know you’re into him, you might want to impress him with some Swedish and hope he asks you out!

2. Fall in Deeper: “I Love You,” and More

A Man Holding a Heart Pillow in Grass

Swedes like to take things very slow. So falling in deeper may take more time than it’d normally take elsewhere. The following love phrases in Swedish might work wonders, but be sure to use them at the right moments and to not rush things.

I love you.
Jag älskar dig.

Words can’t describe my love for you. 
Ord kan inte beskriva min kärlek till dig.

If I know what love is, it is because of you.
Om jag vet vad kärlek är, då är det tack vare dig.

You mean so much to me.
Du betyder så mycket för mig.

You are my sunshine, my love.
Du är mitt solsken, min älskling.

A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you. 
Hundra hjärtan skulle vara för få för att bära all min kärlek till dig.

3. Take it One Step Further: “Will You Marry Me?” and More

Bouquet of Flowers

Let’s talk about marriage in Sweden.

Sweden is one of those places where people stay together and have children without ever getting married. Some Swedes find marriage to be unnecessary and out-dated, but that doesn’t mean that long-term relationships aren’t happening. 

But there are exceptions to every rule. If you’re dating a Swede, chances are they’d be more open to marriage and accepting of how you do things…

Will you marry me? 
Vill du gifta dig med mig?

I want to be with you forever. 
Jag vill vara tillsammans med dig för alltid.

We were meant to be together. 
Vi var menade att vara tillsammans.

I can’t imagine my life without you in it.
Jag kan inte tänka mig ett liv utan dig.

You are the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life. 
Du är den jag har väntat på hela mitt liv.

4. Endearment Terms

Intimate Couple Holding Hands

After you’ve established a relationship with your Swede, the perfect addition would be to start using a Swedish term of endearment to constantly remind your partner of what they mean to you. Here are six of the best Swedish endearment terms.

Love
Älskling

Dearie 
Raring

Dearest 
Käraste

My heart
Hjärtat

My all 
Mitt allt

Hottie  
Snygging

5. Must-know Love Quotes

Man and Woman on a Bike

After establishing a relationship, it may be worth getting a bit creative with how you express your love. And what better way to do so than by throwing in a few love quotes every now and then? Here are seven love quotes in Swedish to get you started.

“Love is like the wind; you can’t see it, but you can feel it.”
“Kärleken är som vinden, du kan inte se den, men du kan känna den.”

“To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to love and be loved is everything.”
“Att älska är ingenting. Att vara älskad är något. Men att älska och att vara älskad är allt.”

“Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop.” 
“Kärlek börjar med ett leende, växer med en kyss och slutar med en tår.”

“We accept the love we think we deserve.” 
“Vi accepterar den kärlek vi tror vi förtjänar.”

“A loving heart is the truest wisdom.” 
“Ett kärleksfullt hjärta är den sannaste visdomen.”

“All you need is love.” 
“Allt du behöver är kärlek.”

“The best feeling is when you look at him and he is already staring.”
“Den bästa känslan är när du tittar på honom och han redan ser på dig.”

6. Conclusion

Congratulations on getting this far. I’d assume that you’re pretty serious about improving your Swedish skills, and that makes your odds of meeting an amazing Swede even higher.

Which of these Swedish love phrases was your favorite? Are you ready to try it out on your Swedish lover?

Want to learn even more beautiful Swedish vocabulary, like kyss mig (kiss me) or ge mig en kram (give me a hug)?

Enter the #1 online resource for learning Swedish: SwedishPod101.

With thousands of online lessons created by language experts, our platform offers an all-in-one system to take you from zero to hero in Swedish!

Our lessons are designed within the framework of a well-categorized system supported with proven learning techniques, such as online flashcards, slowed-down audio, and a voice comparison tool.

All of this and even more is available when you sign up for free on our website (no credit card needed).

And don’t just take my word for it—sign up now and see everything for yourself.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish

Negation in Swedish: Learn How to Say No

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When learning a foreign language, it’s essential to have a lot of energy and positivity. After all, these are the qualities that will allow you to keep your spirits and your motivation up, and that will play a major role in reaching your language learning goals. 

This is why we would love to always be able to say yes!

But to master Swedish, you’ll also need to learn how to form negative sentences. Don’t worry, though, they’re only negative from a grammatical point of view. You can keep the positive vibe. 😉

In this article, you’ll learn about negation in Swedish: how to make a negative sentence, how to answer a yes-or-no question correctly, and how to use other useful negative expressions. 

We get it, saying no isn’t easy, especially for us people-pleasers…but it will be (at least from a language-learning perspective) after you finish reading this guide on Swedish negatives.

So, let’s waste no more time. Ready to start looking at how to say no and form negative sentences in Swedish?

A Woman Holding White Cards with Yes and No on Them
Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish Table of Contents
  1. Negative Sentences
  2. How to Give a Negative Answer to a Question
  3. Other Negative Words
  4. How Our Website Can Help

1. Negative Sentences

Negative sentences are those that state that something did not happen or is not true, or in the case of imperatives, they tell someone not to do something. In the English language, for example, we form negative sentences by adding the word “not” after an auxiliary verb (do, have, be, etc.).

  • Dave is not happy. 
  • We did not go to work today. 

Negations and negative expressions are a key component of any language. Imagine not being able to transform a positive sentence into a negative one…everyday life would get pretty interesting (and not in a good way!).

To avoid misunderstandings or other undesirable situations, it’s essential to learn how to build negative sentences in Swedish. Don’t worry, though, it’s actually quite easy and there are just a few rules you’ll need to remember.

A Family Doing Snow Activities During Winter Vacation

We did not go to work today.

Inte

The main word we use to make a positive sentence negative in Swedish is inte, which is a rough equivalent of the English word “not.”

Therefore, to make a positive sentence negative, we just need to insert the word inte. Easy enough, right? 

  • Jag studerar svenska. (I am studying Swedish.)
    Jag studerar inte svenska. (I am not studying Swedish.)
  • Han är här. (He is here.)
    Han är inte här. (He is not here.)

This construction is very simple and easy to use, don’t you think?

The only thing to take into account is where to put inte, so let’s see. 

Where to put inte in a sentence

As you could probably discern from the examples above, in a basic present-tense sentence, inte goes after the subject and the verb: 

  • Jag talar. (I speak.)
    Jag talar inte. (I don’t speak.)
  • Han skriver. (He writes.)
    Han skriver inte. (He doesn’t write.)
  • Vi ler. (We smile.)
    Vi ler inte. (We don’t smile.)

In compound tenses, however, which are tenses that have an auxiliary or helping verb as well as a main verb (like “I have been” in English), inte goes between the auxiliary and the main verb. Have a look at the following examples:

  • Jag har studerat svenska. (I have studied Swedish.)
    Jag har inte studerat svenska. (I have not studied Swedish.)
  • Jag har läst boken. (I have read the book.)
    Jag har inte läst boken. (I have not read the book.)
  • Hon hade öppnat dörren. (She had opened the door.)
    Hon hade inte öppnat dörren. (She had not opened the door.)

If the word order is reversed, for example in a question, inte will go after the main subject of the verb:

  • Gör han det? (Is he doing that?)
    Gör han inte det? (Isn’t he doing that?)
  • Har han gjort det? (Has he done that?)
    Har han inte gjort det? (Has he not done that?)

2. How to Give a Negative Answer to a Question

In general, questions can be divided into two groups: open-ended questions and closed-ended questions. A closed-ended question is usually one you can answer with a “yes” or “no,” without having to give any explanation. 

Let’s see how to answer these.

Chocolate Truffles

Do you like candy?

In English, we say: “Yes, I do,” or “No, I don’t.” After that, you’re free to give an explanation if you would like.

Logically, to respond to a yes-or-no question in Swedish (ja/nej-fråga), we also start with a yes (ja) or a no (nej). 

As in English, many students learn to answer this type of question by simply repeating the words in the question:

  • Gillar du godis? (Do you like candy?)
    Ja, jag gillar godis. (Yes, I like candy.)
    Nej, jag gillar inte godis. (No, I do not like candy.)

As you progress in your learning, however, this might become boring and repetitive—and let’s be honest, no native speaker uses this structure!

Det in Swedish

So, to be more natural, you could learn how to use the word det. It’s quite simple: Just place det after your ja or nej, add a verb, add a subject (and, if it’s a negative answer, inte). This will sound in Swedish like the English “Yes, I do,” or “No, I don’t.”

  • Har du en hund? (Do you have a dog?)
    Ja det har jag. (Yes, I do.)
  • Är du full? (Are you drunk?)
    Nej det är jag inte. (No, I am not.)

Pretty easy, right? It doesn’t end here, though. With the verbs är and har in the question, we can just reuse the same verb in the answer. But these are exceptions. With the majority of other verbs, when we respond, we’ll have to replace the verb used in the question with the verb göra (to do) and maintain the same structure with det:

  • Känner du honom? (Do you know him?)
    Ja, det gör jag. (Yes, I do.)
  • Kör du bil? (Do you drive?)
    Nej, det gör jag inte. (No, I do not.)

3. Other Negative Words

Of course, knowing how to use inte in all types of sentences is a good start, but there’s a lot more to learn about Swedish negation. 

Let’s see the most commonly used negative expressions in Swedish and how to use them with some example sentences. 

No / Nej

This simply means “no” and, as we just saw, can be used as a negative answer.

  • Nej, jag har inga pengar med mig. (No, I have no money with me.)

A Woman Trying to Find Money in Her Money Purse

No, I have no money with me.

Nothing / Ingenting

  • Jag gör ingenting. (I’m doing nothing.)

Sometimes, you’ll also find the word inget translated as “nothing.”

Not yet / Inte än

This expression also exists in the forms inte ännu and ännu inte. All three are correct. The word order to use with these is simple: inte (x) än, inte (x) ännu, and ännu inte (x).

  • Klockan är inte fem än. (It’s not five yet.)
  • Klockan är inte fem ännu. (It’s not five yet.)

No one / Ingen

Ingen can be used to say “no,” as in: 

  • Jag har ingen bil. (I have no car.)

Or as a pronoun that means “no one,” “nobody,” or “none.”

  • Ingen har någonsin sprungit 100 meter på under nio sekunder! (No one has ever run 100 meters in under nine seconds!)

The form inget, which is neuter, can also be used in the same way to talk about inanimate objects.

Never / Aldrig

  • Jag har aldrig sett det förr. (I’ve never seen that before.)
  • Mauro ljuger aldrig. (Mauro never lies.)

As you can see in the examples above, this word behaves like inte when it comes to word order. It goes after the verb in simple sentences, and in between the auxiliary and main verb when using compound verbs.

An Old Man Shrugging His Shoulders

I don’t know!

And, before we wrap up, here are some more negative sentences you might find useful if you’re learning Swedish! Don’t be scared of using them whenever you need them. 

  • We do not understand.
    Vi förstår inte.
  • I can’t remember the word.
    Jag kan inte komma ihåg ordet.
  • No problem!
    Inga problem!
  • Don’t worry!
    Oroa dig inte!
  • I don’t know!
    Jag vet inte!
  • I’m not fluent in Swedish yet.
    Jag pratar inte flytande svenska ännu.
  • I do not speak Swedish.
    Jag pratar inte svenska.

4. How Our Website Can Help

If you’re interested in learning more Swedish grammar and vocab, check out all the great content available on SwedishPod101.com. Here, you’ll have access to all the resources you need to make your language-learning adventure as interesting and motivating as possible. 

You’ll be able to: improve your listening skills with podcasts and audio lessons; work on gradually building your vocabulary with word lists, dictionaries, and phrasebooks; and learn great strategies from language experts on how to best approach the study of the Swedish language.

If you’re learning Swedish with plans of traveling in Scandinavia, don’t miss our travel Survival Course. Being able to understand and communicate in Swedish will not only help you be safe during your stay abroad, but it will also give you amazing and unique opportunities to connect with the locals, making your adventure even more unforgettable. 

We surely hope that you’ll be able to say yes to all the invitations and opportunities you’ll encounter… But, well, at least now you can negate sentences and say “no” correctly and politely in Swedish, just in case. 

And, if you’re learning Swedish for work or study reasons, make the commitment and start using our website with all its incredible resources designed to help you practice and improve every day. Our content will help you keep your motivation up so that you can reach your Swedish learning goals as quickly as possible!

Before you go, we would love to hear from you. Do you feel confident in your ability to use negation in Swedish, or do you still have questions or concerns? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll get back to you!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish

Why learn Swedish? Here are 10 great reasons.

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Are you wondering why so many people now choose to study Swedish? Or maybe you’ve started studying this beautiful language yourself, and need some extra motivation to keep you going on your language-learning journey…

Either way, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll answer the question, “Why learn Swedish?” and discover all the benefits and advantages learning Swedish can bring into your everyday life.

Gotland, Sweden

Did you know, for example, that Swedish is the key to having easier access to all Scandinavian languages? This is because Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian are mutually intelligible, which means speakers of one language have little trouble understanding speakers of the others

If you’re a language-lover (or an admirer of all things Scandinavian), learning Swedish is the best way to start! 

So, let’s look at the main reasons to learn Swedish and discuss how speaking a foreign language will bring amazing benefits to your life.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish Table of Contents
  1. Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language
  2. Personal and Professional Benefits
  3. Is it Easy?
  4. The Fastest Way to Learn Swedish

1. Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language

In today’s world, it’s becoming more and more common to study a foreign language. Further, science is proving that doing so will not only impact your life on a personal and professional level, but it can also improve your health and general wellbeing.

In this light, let’s look at our first three reasons to learn Swedish (or any other foreign language, for that matter!). 

Reason 1: It will open your mind.

Spending time studying an unfamiliar alphabet, practicing different sounds, and generally striving to master a foreign language like Swedish has proven to have a positive effect on the learner’s mind.

People who are bilingual are often more open-minded, creative, and approachable compared to those who only speak one language. This is because, by learning a new language, one not only picks up new skills and abilities, but also develops new tastes and sensibilities that will change the way they see and interact with the world. 

Being able to speak more than one language will make you more aware of other cultures and customs as well as more open to understanding different lifestyles and ideas. 

Basically, studying Swedish (or another language!) will make you a better version of yourself, and add new layers and nuances to your personality and the way you experience life. Sounds like a good personal investment, doesn’t it?

Reason 2: You’ll gain access to a whole new world.

Not many people realize that speaking another language not only allows one to communicate with a whole new portion of the world population, but it also opens up new content in all fields. 

Knowing Swedish, you’ll be able to enjoy a whole new world of movies, books, recipes, and anything else that you’re interested in!

Diving into your hobbies in the language you’re learning is also a great way to practice and keep your motivation high for reaching your language learning goals. 

Are you a literature-lover? Reading books in their original version will be priceless! 

Do you love cooking and experimenting in the kitchen? Just head to a Swedish food blog and surprise your friends with a Scandinavian-inspired dinner…all while practicing and learning about the Swedish language and culture! 

And the list is endless, so go on and explore all the new content that’s now available to you thanks to your new language skills!

Reason 3: It will improve your brain health.

As we mentioned above, learning a foreign language improves creativity and can make you more approachable and open-minded…but it doesn’t end there! Many studies are now showing that it also enhances problem-solving abilities and multitasking skills, and being multilingual can go as far as delaying the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia by years.

White Sketch of a Brain against a Black Background

If you want your brain to be healthy, just choose a foreign language you’d like to study and get on with it. It’s really that simple. 

Bilingual people have proven to be more logical, perceptive, and aware of their surroundings, and science is now proving that thinking in more than one language may increase our number of neural pathways. This means that we’ll be able to process information better and more efficiently.

What are you still waiting for? Learning Swedish will actually improve your brain health and function!

2. Personal and Professional Benefits

If you’re looking for more concrete, short-term reasons to learn Swedish, don’t fret: There are many more coming. In fact, learning a foreign language like Swedish will give you great advantages after just a few months of studying… Here’s how!

Reason 4: Learning Swedish will give you more travel opportunities.

Of course, many people want to be able to communicate in Swedish to travel to…well, Sweden.

Sure, Swedes usually speak good English and you can get by visiting their country without knowing a word of Swedish. However, personal experience has taught me that being able to communicate with the locals in their native language is always better.

Helsingborg, Sweden

Not only will you be able to travel safely and without misunderstandings, but you’ll also delight in unique experiences and adventures that you would probably miss out on only knowing English. Trust me, if you’re planning to travel in or move to Sweden, knowing even just some words in the language will make your trip even more unforgettable. 

Plus, remember that knowing Swedish will make it easier to travel around Scandinavia in general, and not just in Sweden!

Reason 5: It will come in handy for life and business.

Sweden is one of the world’s top-rated places to live. And with free healthcare, free (and great!) education for all ages, and high salaries, it’s no wonder why. 

In the past few years, many expats have decided to call Stockholm home and have no regrets. It goes without saying that, if you’re thinking of joining their ranks, learning Swedish is a must.

Business People Discussing Something in a Business Meeting

If you’re not quite ready to move to Sweden just yet, but would like to start a business here (or anywhere in Northern Europe), it’s still important to be able to communicate with the local communities in their native language. 

It will not only make things easier, but it will also show your drive and willingness to learn in order to make your business take off. 

Reason 6: You’ll be better able to dive into the culture.

If you visit or live in Sweden, not speaking the language will always leave you feeling somehow left out. 

Only by learning how to understand and speak Swedish will you really be able to dive into the culture and become part of the local community. Your life will literally change once you start learning Swedish, and for the better!

As they say, language is a window into culture. Speaking Swedish will certainly help you understand the people who speak it natively, their history, and their customs on a deeper level—knowledge that would not be accessible to you if you only spoke English! 

Reason 7: It will help you be a bridge between cultures.

If, like many of us, you want to work towards creating a more connected and understanding world, being able to speak Swedish will allow you to use your skills as a bridge between cultures

Nowadays, the world is in great need of people who can help others understand different ways of life and habits, and being bilingual is the perfect way to help fill that missing connection.

3. Is it Easy?

Actually, the answer is yes! You didn’t expect this, did you? 

If you still aren’t sure why to learn Swedish, consider the fact that doing so will be a great investment of your time and your efforts will be rewarded quickly.

Reason 8: It’s easy to pick up.

If you’re a native English speaker (or a non-native speaker who knows the language quite well), you’re in luck. Swedish is quite an easy language to pick up for us Anglophones.  

The two languages share a similar structure, grammar, and even a good percentage of vocabulary from the same roots. After all, both Swedish and English are Germanic languages, and so are Norwegian and Danish. Which brings up our next reason… 

Reason 9: It will make learning other languages easier.

As we already mentioned, Swedish will open the doors to a much easier experience learning Norwegian and Danish. If you’re planning to learn any other Scandinavian languages, Swedish is a great place to start. 

However, the benefits of studying Swedish don’t end there: The skills you learn when learning a foreign language can easily be applied to any other language, even if it’s a completely different one.

Reason 10: The internet and technology make it so easy.

A Laptop and Several Tablets

Imagine deciding to learn Swedish even just 30 years ago. You would have to go look for a bookshop specialized in language learning and buy at least a few pounds worth of books. 

Nowadays, things are different. The internet and technology have revolutionized how we study and practice foreign languages, and it’s now easier than ever to access all kinds of content, wherever you are in the world. 

So, take advantage of the amazing times we live in and start learning Swedish today!

4. The Fastest Way to Learn Swedish

Speaking of high-quality and accessible language learning content, make sure you visit SwedishPod101.com if you’re studying Swedish. 

Here, you’ll find audio and video lessons for all levels, incredibly useful vocabulary lists, and all kinds of resources to help you become fluent faster. 

If your plan is to travel around Sweden, don’t miss our travel survival course, which will allow you to make the most of your trip and remain safe while abroad.

On the other hand, if you’re committed and want to become an advanced Swedish speaker—whether for professional or personal reasons—make the commitment and start studying and practicing with us every day for excellent resources and expert language learning tips and strategies. 

Before you go, we would love to hear from you. How close are you to a decision about Swedish? Do you still have any questions or concerns? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll do our best to help you out!

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How Long Will it Take to Learn Swedish?

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Learning to understand, speak, and think in a different language is an amazing and fulfilling process. When we learn a foreign language, not only do we add a new skill to our repertoire, but we also change the very way we see and think about the world and our relationship to it. 

If you’re considering taking up Swedish, you’ve likely asked these questions at some point: How long will it take to learn Swedish? And is it worth the commitment?

We’ll get to the first question in a bit. As for the second question: Absolutely! 

Did you know, for example, that if you learn Swedish you’ll also be able to understand Norwegian and Danish? This will open up the whole Scandinavian world to you! Three languages for the price of one! 

Language lovers would all like to spend endless days learning Swedish and all its nuances… But, nowadays, time is money and the reality of our world can be quite different.

An Hourglass Against a Dark Background

We all instinctively look for the fastest and easiest ways to learn, so that we can start practicing and using our new skills early on to find a better job, travel, or communicate with a friend or loved one.  

It would be great if we could know, right from the start, exactly how long it takes to learn a language. This way, we would be able to make long-term plans and know what to expect. However, the reality is that there isn’t one best way to learn and there’s certainly no set timetable for learning Swedish! 

Everyone learns according to their experience, time, and motivation. How quickly you learn will depend on many other factors, too. 

Let’s have a look at these factors and discuss how to take advantage of this knowledge to start learning as fast as possible.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish Table of Contents
  1. Experience
  2. Learning Style
  3. Approach
  4. How Long Does it Take to Achieve Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced Level?
  5. How Our Website Can Help

Experience

One of the most important things to take into consideration is your general experience with languages. 

The Language(s) You Speak

What’s your native language? And what other languages do you know? 

Yes, this will actually be a defining aspect of how quickly you’ll be able to pick up Swedish. 

If you’re a native or near-native English speaker, you’re in luck! Swedish and English actually share the same roots, and their grammar and sentence structure are pretty similar! It gets even better if you already speak Dutch, German, and obviously, Danish or Norwegian. 

If you’re a native speaker of a Semitic language such as Arabic, on the other hand, it might be a little trickier—but all the more challenging and rewarding! So, don’t be discouraged. Just be aware that your native English friends might just have a bit of a headstart…it doesn’t mean they’ll learn it better than you! 

Your Previous Language Learning Experience

Another essential aspect to consider is your previous experience in the field of language learning

Have you ever learned a foreign language before?

If you already speak a foreign language fluently, or were brought up bilingual, you’ll likely be able to learn Swedish faster than other people. Many studies and research have now proven that bilingual people find it easier to study and learn a third language, as they’re naturally more accustomed to being exposed to different languages. 

Even if you’re not bilingual, having studied and learned a foreign language at any point in your life will probably help. This is because your language-learning mind is already used to memorizing words and rules, as well as looking at different letters and symbols—a definite advantage!

Basically, having skills in one language will help you gain fluency in another language (even if the two languages are totally different)!

Your Previous Grammar Knowledge

One of the first steps to take when you’re learning a foreign language is to discover and study how it’s built and how it works. This usually means learning and understanding its structure and grammar. 

If you have some previous experience studying grammar and syntax, even if only in your own language, it will be much easier and faster for you to study the syntax and grammar of a foreign language. 

So, if you’re planning to start learning Swedish, it’s a good idea to have some grammar foundations to build your knowledge on! 

Learning Style

The way you study and learn is another essential factor in how long it takes to learn Swedish.

A Man Who Aced His Essay

Your Methods

If you limit your learning to a classroom setting, it will surely take you a little longer to learn and start using your language skills with confidence in the real world. Here’s how to learn the Swedish language faster: Expose yourself to Swedish outside the classroom! This will shave quite a few hours off your required learning time.

Pick up the habit of reading Swedish newspapers, watching films and series in Swedish, and listening to Swedish podcasts while you drive or cook. It will help. Of course, finding a conversation partner to practice with will also go a long way toward achieving fluency faster.

Your Time

There’s another aspect we haven’t mentioned yet, even though it’s actually the most important determining factor in how long it takes to learn Swedish: The time you put into it!

If you want to learn quickly, you should dedicate as much time to studying as you possibly can. 

Ideally, you’ll want to practice daily. Research has shown that students who dedicate at least an hour a day to language learning—whether studying grammar, memorizing words, watching a series, or reading a book—end up learning significantly faster than those who don’t stick to a daily schedule.

And if it’s an option for you, full-immersion learning is the best method. If you can travel to Sweden and live there for a short (or long) while, that will change everything!

Approach

Learning to speak Swedish will be a much easier, more fluid process if you take the right approach. Here’s what I mean…

Your Motivation

It’s no secret: Staying motivated is an essential aspect of learning a new language. What are your reasons for learning Swedish?

Have these reasons clear in your mind, and set weekly (or even daily) goals for maximum efficiency. Keeping your reasons in mind will help you stay motivated and interested in learning this beautiful language every day! 

Your Attitude

Keeping your spirits and motivation up will make your language learning more effective, and it will help you get through the tough times with a positive attitude

The secret is to see studying as a fun and interesting activity…something you’re choosing to do, rather than something you’re forced to do. 

A Woman Lifting Her Arms in Joy

Remember: Knowing a foreign language will open your mind and your horizons, and it will give you a great set of skills to use in your daily and professional life. 

When you think about it this way, you’ll always be motivated to learn something new every day. This will make the process not only more enjoyable, but also much faster! 

How Long Does it Take to Achieve Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced Level?

So, let’s get to the point. 

How long does it take an English speaker to learn Swedish?

Following is a quick guide on how long it might take to reach a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level of Swedish. Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates, and exact times will vary based on the factors we described above. 

Beginner

As a Swedish beginner, you’ll be able to introduce yourself, understand slow spoken language, and ask basic questions (probably making some mistakes along the way). 

If your goal is to be able to greet people, order a meal at the restaurant, have some basic reading skills, and understand sentences pronounced slowly and carefully, this level is probably sufficient.

You’ll be able to do all these things with just about 180-200 hours of Swedish classes (to reach levels B1-B2). This means that if you’re motivated and willing to put in 10-15 hours a week, you could travel to Sweden without any worries in just over 3 months.

So get studying and you’ll soon be having some basic conversations!

The City of Gotland in Sweden

Intermediate

Once you reach an intermediate level, you’ll be able to understand everyday conversations (when spoken clearly), even if you have to ask some questions to keep up. This level will also allow you to read and watch the news and other videos with few problems. If you’re traveling, you’ll be able to ask for and follow directions with no problem and you’ll also be able to enjoy basic interactions with locals about familiar subjects. 

We estimate that, to achieve an intermediate level of Swedish, you’ll need about 350 hours of study. This means that, if you dedicate around 15 hours a week to practicing your Swedish, you’ll be able to get to this level in just 6 months! 

Advanced

If you’re setting out to achieve fluency, this is what you’re aiming for. Once you have advanced language skills, you’ll be able to deal with any kind of situation that may arise in your daily life abroad or while traveling. You should also be able to have long and detailed conversations with native speakers. You’ll be able to enjoy watching movies and reading books in Swedish with no problem. 

In other words, you’ll be fluent. (Even if there’s always something new to learn about this intricate and beautifully complex language!)

A Woman Reading a Book Outside

According to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), you’ll need about 750 hours of study to become fluent in Swedish. This means that if you dedicate 12-15 hours a week to studying, you’ll be able to speak like a pro in just a year! 

If this seems like a long time, take into account that harder languages like Japanese or Arabic may take up to 2200 hours—three times as long as Swedish! 

How Our Website Can Help

So, what are you waiting for? The perfect time to start learning a foreign language is now! 

The sooner you start learning, the faster you’ll achieve your language goals and start speaking Swedish.

If you want to keep motivated and make your language learning adventure as easy as possible, check out the content on SwedishPod101.com. Here, you’ll find all kinds of language learning materials: vocabulary lists, lessons for all levels, dictionaries, blog posts, and more.

As we explained, how long it takes to learn Swedish really just depends on how much time you’re willing to invest in learning. Our online Swedish courses and resources are designed specifically to give you all the right tools to learn the language as quickly and easily as possible. Make sure that your precious time is well-spent!

Whether you’re a beginner learner who wants a survival course or an advanced speaker who’s looking to refine your skills, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

Before you go, we’re curious: How likely are you to start learning Swedish after reading this article? Feel free to let us know if you have any questions or concerns—we’ll be glad to help you out the best we can!

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Speak Like a Native: 30 Swedish Proverbs and Idioms

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Proverbs are popular sayings that provide a little dose of wisdom, a truth that is sometimes so obvious it’s overlooked. 

Can you think of a proverb in your native language that touched you in an important moment of your life?

Well, I can think of one: “There is no time like the present.” So let’s get to it!

Proverbs add versatility and color to our spoken language, so today we’ll introduce you to the thirty most common Swedish proverbs. Using any one of these at just the right moment is sure to impress native speakers!

If you really want your language skills to shine, knowing proverbs in the Swedish language is a great way to start. And of course, it will also help you better fit in with Swedes and gain a deeper understanding of their culture!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish Table of Contents
  1. Funny Swedish Proverbs
  2. Swedish Proverbs About Life
  3. Practical Swedish Proverbs
  4. Swedish Proverbs Shared with English
  5. Conclusion

1. Funny Swedish Proverbs

As they say, “Laughter is the best medicine.” How true! So let’s start by having a look at some humorous Swedish proverbs and sayings that Swedes often use to express their wisdom (and their wit)… Surprise native speakers with these funny axioms! 

1. Ingen ko på isen.

  • Literal translation: There’s no cow on the ice.

A cow on the ice would definitely be something to worry about! This one doesn’t really have an English equivalent, but it’s simply a way of saying “Don’t worry.” 

2. Sitta med skägget i brevlådan

  • Literal translation: To sit with your beard in the letterbox
  • English equivalent: To be caught with your hands in the cookie jar

Change “hands” to “beard,” and “cookie jar” to “letter box,” and there you have it. In either case, you’ve been caught doing something dishonest.

3. Det ligger en hund begraven.

  • Literal translation: There’s a dog buried.
  • English equivalent: Something smells fishy.

This one just means that there’s something fishy going on. 

4. Att ana ugglor i mossen

  • Literal translation: To suspect there are owls in the bog
  • English equivalent: To smell a rat

This is another way to describe the sensation of knowing something’s wrong. Even fishier than a buried dog!

A Brown-and-white Speckled Owl

5. Finns det hjärterum så finns det stjärterum.

  • Literal translation: If there’s room in the heart, there’s room for the arse.

Where there’s friendship, there’s always space for one more. You can also use it to mean, “Move over, I wanna fit on the sofa!”

6. Inte skottat ända fram

If you’re “not shoveled all the way,” it means you’re really not the smartest.

Someone Clearing Snow from Their Driveway

7. Göra en höna av en fjäder

  • Literal translation: To make a chicken out of a feather
  • English equivalent: To make a mountain out of a molehill

This idiom refers to the act of making something unimportant seem very important. 

8. Köp inte grisen i säcken.

  • Literal translation: Don’t buy the pig in the bag.
  • English equivalent: To buy a pig in a poke 

Don’t buy something without having inspected it first. This proverb is also a warning against rash decisions.

2. Swedish Proverbs About Life

You know those sayings that make you feel all fuzzy inside, and leave you with a lovely feeling of knowing what life’s all about? Well, Swedes have quite a few of those! 

These Swedish proverbs about life will make your heart melt like an icicle in front of a fire.  

9. Rädsla mindre, hoppas mer; Ät mindre, tugga mer; Gnälla mindre, andas mer; Prata mindre, säg mer, Älska mer, och alla goda ting kommer att bli din.

  • Literal translation: “Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; love more; and all good things are yours.”

This one is pretty self-explanatory, if a bit long! Basically, it says that a great life boils down to relaxing, not worrying, and not being greedy.

10. Älska mig mest när jag förtjänar det minst för då behöver jag det bäst.

  • Literal translation: “Love me when I least deserve it, because that’s when I really need it.”

Again, pretty clear, yet poetic. Use this phrase if you’re dating a Swede and they’ll be impressed!

A Couple Having a Disagreement

11. De som önskar att sjunga hittar alltid en låt.

  • Literal translation: Those who wish to sing, always find a song.
  • English equivalent: To make one’s own luck

If you really want something, you’ll find a way to get it. 

12. Ett liv utan kärlek är som ett år utan sommar.

  • Literal translation: A life without love is like a year without summer.

I mean, imagine a year in Sweden with no summer. That’s how important love is in life. You can definitely see how much Swedes love their summers!

13. Oro ger små saker en stor skugga.

  • Literal translation: Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.

This is a beautiful way of saying, “Don’t worry.” Much more poetic than the cow on ice, if you ask me. 😉

Two People Walking in the Dark, Casting Shadows

14. Borta bra, men hemma bäst.

  • Literal translation: Away is good, but home is best.
  • English equivalent: Home sweet home. 

This phrase is usually said after spending some time away from home

15. Ibland kan man inte se skogen på grund av alla träd.

  • Literal translation: Sometimes you cannot see the forest because of all the trees.

This is something along the lines of a certain Zen proverb: “When the sage points at the moon, the fool looks at the finger.” Look beyond, and see the bigger picture!

A Forest with Many Trees

16. Delad glädje är dubbel glädje; delad sorg är halverad sorg.

  • Literal translation: Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.

Always share with your loved ones, both in joy and in sorrow. 

3. Practical Swedish Proverbs

There are sentimental truths about life, like the ones we just looked at. And then there are practical truths, like “a watched pot never boils” (I’ve tried, it’s a real thing!). 

So let’s dive into some practical Swedish sayings that will make our lives easier!

17. Det bästa stället att hitta en hjälpande hand är i slutet av din egen arm.

  • Literal translation: The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm.
  • English equivalent: God helps those who help themselves.

This has basically the same meaning as the English version. If you want a better life, just make it happen.

18. Dra inte alla över en kam.

  • Literal translation: Don’t pull everybody over the same comb.
  • English equivalent: Don’t judge a book by its cover.

This proverb just means that you shouldn’t generalize people.

19. Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder.

  • Literal translation: There is no bad weather, there are only bad clothes.

This one is widely used in the winter months, and for a reason! But if you think there’s something wrong with the Swedish winter, think again: you’re probably just wearing the wrong clothes.

A Woman Shivering in the Snow

20. Den enes bröd är den andres död.

  • Literal translation: One man’s bread is another’s death.

One person’s fortune is another’s misfortune. This one is often said in a philosophical manner to describe a situation where one prospers from the misfortune of another.

21. Den som köper det han inte behöver stjäl från sig själv.

  • Literal translation: He who buys what he does not need steals from himself.

This is a great anti-consumerist Swedish proverb. If you don’t need something, just don’t buy it! 

22. När den blinde bär den lame går båda framåt.

  • Literal translation: When the blind man carries the lame man, both go forward.
  • English equivalent: Unity is strength.

It’s a weird way of saying it, but it basically promotes collaboration to overcome problems… The Blind Man and the Lame is actually a Greek fable!

23. Lycka ger aldrig; den lånar bara ut.

  • Literal translation: Luck never gives; it only lends.
  • English equivalent: Luck is loaned, not owned.

You may have a lucky strike, but rest assured it won’t last! 

4. Swedish Proverbs Shared with English

Some proverbs are, let’s say…international! They appear in many different languages, probably as a result of early travelers sharing their wisdom with different people in different places.

Here are some Swedish proverbs that also exist in English (and in many other languages, too!). 

24. Gräset är alltid grönare på andra sidan.

The grass is always greener on the other side.

A Fence Separating Two Plots of Grass

25. Gråt inte över spilld mjölk.

Don’t cry over spilled milk.

26. Den som spar han har.

Savers, keepers.

27. Andra tider andra seder.

Other times, other customs.

28. Betala med samma mynt.

To pay back with the same coin.

29. Affär är affär.

Business is business.

30. Allting går igen.

What goes around comes around.

5. Conclusion

“All good things must come to an end…” But it’s not really the end, is it? There’s so much more to learn about the Swedish language! 

As they say, “Practice makes perfect,” so continue practicing your Swedish language skills on SwedishPod101.com. Using all the features we offer (audio podcasts, videos with transcriptions, word lists, a dictionary, and more), you’ll pick up this beautiful and interesting language in no time. 

And remember, if someone you know feels down one day, cheer them up with one of the humorous Swedish proverbs from this list and make them laugh… We already know what the best medicine is, right?

Which of these Swedish proverbs is your favorite, and why? Let us know in the comments!

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English Words in Swedish: Do You Know Swenglish?

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It’s no secret that Swedes speak English well.

But if you dropped in unexpectedly on a Swedish company’s conference call, you might be a little surprised to hear everyone speaking in English despite the fact that everyone working there was born and raised in-country.

What gives?

Shouldn’t they be speaking…Swedish?

Well, because of many different factors, there are quite a few modern colloquial English words in Swedish. They call this phenomenon “Swenglish,” and here’s what it’s all about.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Swedish Table of Contents
  1. Putting Swenglish in Context
  2. Examples of Swenglish
  3. English Loanwords
  4. What a Swedish Accent Sounds Like in English
  5. English Words Originally From Swedish
  6. Conclusion

Putting Swenglish in Context

The Swedish City of Visby

First off, this name isn’t really fair. It’s taken from the German equivalent “Denglish,” which refers to German laced with far too many English loans. However, “Swenglish” is actually used to describe English with Swedish characteristics, which we’ll get to in a little bit.

But how did all this English get into the Swedish language in the first place?

Well, the Vikings invaded England in the early Middle Ages. But that’s not the whole story, as many of them stayed there and ended up influencing the English language instead.

You see, Swedish is a Northern Germanic language while English is a Western Germanic one. This means that many centuries ago, around the fifth century BC, there was one parent language that later split up due to migration patterns and natural language change.

That makes it easy to pull words from one language to the other, kind of like baking cookies from the same mold and putting them on different trays. 

In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, English started becoming more and more of a world language, and Swedes began facing greater pressure to learn it. By the twenty-first century, they had achieved that goal in spades. The vast majority of Swedish youth these days gain full mastery of English while still in high school.

Because English is of such great international importance and considered trendy to learn, it’s the perfect language to pull words from, even among Swedes speaking Swedish to each other. Plus, recent immigration and English-taught higher education efforts both point to a rising use of English in Sweden.

But some Swedes are pushing back, saying that it’s unnecessarily eroding a perfectly good language and culture. However, this kind of popularity-driven language transition is quite tough to ignore, and sooner or later English words will have entered Swedish for good.

Examples of Swenglish

A Man Bodybuilding

So what does this “Swenglish” or “Svengelska” look like in real life?

‘Swenglish’ refers to English words that mean something else in Swedish, having been adopted into the language and undergoing changes over time. After all, when non-native speakers start using a foreign word in their own language, it can easily take on a life of its own. To give you an idea of what we mean, let’s look at several Swenglish examples. 

We’ll start with the word “athlete.” In English, it refers to anyone who practices a sport and uses their body to enter competitions. In Swedish, though, it typically refers to “a bodybuilder,” or someone who sculpts their muscles for aesthetic reasons. The “pure” Swedish word for “athlete” would be friidrottare.

Another example is the word sejfa, which sounds an awful lot like the English word “safe.” This one actually means “to play it safe,” or in other words, to be careful when attempting something new.

If you’ve studied any German, you may be familiar with the false friend tränar, which is also used in Swedish. It’s not “to train” as you would train a dog or cat, but “to exercise.”

Have you ever done any winter sports in Sweden? Better try to avoid peaken: the “peak of the season,” distinct from a mountain peak, which would be topp or spets.

Some words seem like they should be English words from their look and sound, and many Swedes might even swear to you that they are—but you won’t find them in an English dictionary.

Such words include legitimation (otherwise known as an ID card) and hangarounds (supporters of a political movement). Finally, if you hear a Swede complimenting your backslick, your first instinct might be to turn around and see if something’s gotten spilled on your shirt. But in reality, it just means “slicked-back hair.”

English Loanwords

A Meeting at a Large Corporate Company

Now that we’ve seen some examples of words that are slowly becoming native Swedish, we should mention that there are also plenty of words that are clearly English (for the time being, at least). Many of these English words used in Swedish are ones you’d hear in science, technology, and business meetings. This is because they’ve simply become the preferred way for experts in these fields to communicate.

Words like midquarter report, pressrelease, call center, and all time high are extremely commonplace in big Swedish business firms—remember, the official language of many Swedish businesses is English to begin with!

Note that the spacing or hyphenation of the examples above might be a little different from what English-speaking countries mandate as the norm. This is intentional, as these words have been adopted into Swedish orthographic conventions instead of maintaining the English ones.

Although Swedish verbs don’t conjugate for person or number, you can still see the Swedish verb suffix on loanwords like chillar (“to chill out”) or mailar (“to send by email”).

This is where the Swedish linguistic purists start tearing their hair out, by the way. They feel that Swedish speakers should make an effort to come up with their own native-Swedish equivalents, much like the Mandarin and Icelandic languages do.

If that were the case, you’d see loans like design replaced by formgivning and food processor replaced by matberedare. Only a serious and widespread effort to get rid of English loans could stop the process at this point, and that’s not very likely to get underway.

By the way, here is a quick fun fact before we move on to the next section: the word präst (“priest”) is actually a loanword from English, not a common Germanic word that happened to stay roughly recognizable. Scholars believe it comes from the Middle Ages and/or Renaissance!

What a Swedish Accent Sounds Like in English

Two Women Chatting Over Coffee

Unfortunately, there’s one extremely famous rendition of a “Swedish accent” permanently entrenched in the minds of Americans—the character of the Swedish Chef from the children’s show Sesame Street.

While not really crossing any line into “offensive,” this has been the basis of quite a few good-natured jokes toward Swedes living abroad, to the extent that it should probably be laid to rest at this point.

The reason why that stereotype is so enduring, though, is because there really is a distinctive rhythm to Swedish speech. This is because the Swedish language, like Norwegian, Japanese, and a handful of other European and Asian languages, has a “pitch accent.”

You can find a few other good resources about Swedish pitch accent online, but the gist of it is that each word in Swedish has either a rising or falling pitch pattern. To native speakers, pronouncing a word with a different pattern sounds understandable but odd.

And turnabout is fair play: when Swedes speak English, they often subconsciously apply the pitch rules of their own language to English, leading to that musical rhythm.

Other than that, the long exposure many Swedes have to the English language means that they tend to pick up even subtleties of the pronunciation quite well. It helps that most of the sounds in English exist in Swedish, more so than for French or German speakers!

English Words Originally From Swedish

A Map, Compass, Passport, and Travel Notes

Since Swedish has never been that big of a language, its cultural reach has always been rather small. Still, when you look carefully at English vocabulary, you can find some rather common English words from Swedish or other Scandinavian languages. 

The hobby of “orienteering” comes from the Swedish orientering, explaining why this word doesn’t quite sound like an English word even though it’s spelled like one.

Fartleks, a type of exercise training for long-distance runners, comes from the Swedish words fart (“speed”) and lek (“play”).

The metal tungsten is a combination of the Swedish words meaning “heavy” and “stone.”

Finally, the ubiquitous European moped comes from a blend of words from 1950s Swedish: motor och pedaler (“motor and pedals”).

Apart from those, many words that English speakers take for granted when discussing history and literature actually come from Old Norse, and so are Swedish by proxy if you will. These include elf, troll, and saga.

Conclusion

Even if Swedes end up using Swenglish and English in equal measure in the future, it doesn’t mean that there’s no hope for the Swedish culture as a whole.

People were probably saying the same thing when Anglo-Saxon speakers started using Norse terms on the British Isles! All languages shift and change with time, and Swedish is no exception.

Fortunately, you don’t have to get hired at a Swedish company to start picking up how the language is really used today. SwedishPod101 has got you covered.

Once you attain a strong level in Swedish thanks to our audio podcasts, videos with transcripts, word lists, and other useful resources, it’ll be easy for you to pick up and maintain a healthy balance of languages in your personal and professional Swedish lives.

Try out SwedishPod101 today and enjoy adding another language to your repertoire!

How many of these words were you surprised to find on our list? Are there any we missed? Let us know in the comments!

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