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.

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

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.

Swedish	English	Swedish Example Sentence	English Example Sentence
Dock (adv.)	However	Det stämmer dock inte.	However, that is not true.
Relation (n.)	Relation / Relationship	1: 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.)	Study	Resultatet presenteras i en ny studie.	The result is presented in a new study.
Social (adj.)	Social	Hon är social och gillar andra människor.	She is social and likes other people.
Begrepp (n.)	Concept	Det är ett välkänt begrepp.	It’s a well-known concept.
Form (n.)	Form / Shape	Det 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.)	Significance	Det är en bagatell och utan större betydelse.	It’s a trifle and without much significance.
Analys (n.)	Analysis	Det framgår i analysen.	That is made clear in the analysis.
Utifrån (adv.)	Based on	Det gick bra utifrån omständigheterna.	It went well based on the circumstances.
Perspektiv (n.)	Perspective	Våra perspektiv skiljer sig åt.	Our perspectives differ.
Beskriva (v.)	Describe	Jag kan inte beskriva hur lycklig jag är.	I cannot describe how happy I am.
Text (n.)	Text	Ni behöver skriva en kort text om ämnet.	You need to write a short text on the topic.
Innebära (v.)	Mean	Det kommer innebära slutet för oss!	It will mean the end for us!
Exempelvis (adv.)	For example	Du kan exempelvis gå till sängs, eller läsa en bok.	For example, you can go to bed or read a book.
Utgöra (v.)	Constitute	De kommer inte att utgöra ett hot länge till.	They will not constitute a threat for long.
Orsak (n.)	Reason	Det finns ingen orsak till oro.	There is no reason for concern.
Såväl (con.)	As well	Han har arbetat inrikes såväl som utrikes.	He has worked domestically as well as abroad.
Enligt (prp.)	According to	Det går inte enligt dem.	That’s not possible, according to them.
Därmed (adv.)	Thus	Därmed slutar vår saga så som den började.	Thus ends our fairy tale as it began.
Diskussion (n.)	Debate	Vi får ta upp det till diskussion på mötet.	We will have to bring it up for discussion at the meeting.
Samband (n.)	Connection	Det finns inget samband mellan de två fallen.	There is no connection between the two cases.
Forskning (n.)	Research	Vi behöver mer forskning på ämnet.	We need more research on the subject.
Dels (con.)	Partly	Det är dels mitt fel, och dels hennes.	It’s partly my fault, and partly hers.
Tolkning (n.)	Interpretation	Slutet är öppet för tolkning.	The ending is open to interpretation.
Referera (v.)	To refer	Jag 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

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. 

Swedish	English	Swedish Example Sentence	English Example Sentence
Division (n.)	Division	Vi studerar multiplikation och division.	We study multiplication and division.
Huvudkontor (n.)	Head office	Var ligger deras huvudkontor?	Where is their head office?
Outsourcing (n.)	Outsourcing	Han fick sparken på grund av outsourcing.	He was fired due to outsourcing.
Uppsägning (n.)	Termination	Det räcker med en varning istället för uppsägning.	A warning instead of termination is enough.
Tillgångar (n.)	Assets	Tillgångarna överstiger utgifterna.	The assets exceed the expenses.
Lager (n.)	Stock	Oroa dig inte, vi har flera på lager.	Don’t worry; we have several in stock.
Aktieägare (n.)	Shareholder	Styrelsens beslut lär inte vara populärt hos aktieägarna.	The board’s decision is not likely to be popular with the shareholders.
Ränta (n.)	Interest rate	Vad erbjuder banken för ränta?	What interest rate does the bank offer?
Personalavdelning (n.)	Human resources department	Hon arbetar vid personalavdelningen.	She works in the human resources department.
Omsättning (n.)	Turnover	Omsättningen ökade under det andra kvartalet.	Turnover increased during the second quarter.
Medel (n.)	Funds	Det saknas medel till att investera.	There are no funds to invest.
Dotterbolag (n.)	Subsidiary	De öppnade ett dotterbolag dit de kunde flytta kostnaderna.	They opened a subsidiary where they could move the costs.
Avgift (n.)	Fee	Det tillkommer en avgift för sittplats.	There is an additional fee for seating.
Lönebesked (n.)	Payslip	Skatten framgår på lönebeskedet.	The tax appears on the payslip.
Partnerskap (n.)	Partnership	Deras partnerskap var bräckligt.	Their partnership was fragile.
Arbetsmarknad (n.)	Labor market	Arbetsmarknaden har återhämtat sig efter lågkonjunkturen.	The labor market has recovered from the recession.
Kompensera (v.)	Compensate	Vi kommer att kompensera dig för uppdraget.	We will compensate you for the assignment.
Ansöka (v.)	Apply	Jag kommer att ansöka till tjänsten.	I will apply for the position.
Gren (n.)	Branch	Avbrottet kommer att påverka samtliga grenar av företaget.	The interruption will affect all branches of the company.
Bokföring (n.)	Accounting	De kom undan med det på grund av kreativ bokföring.	They got away with it because of creative accounting.
Registrerat  varumärke (n.)	Registered trademark	Produkten 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.)	Bankruptcy	Om inte vinsten ökas är en konkurs nära förestående.	Unless the profit is increased, bankruptcy is imminent.
Affärsresa (n.)	Business trip	Han är på affärsresa, kan jag ta ett meddelande?	He’s on a business trip; can I take a message?
Tillsvidareanställning (n.)	Permanent contract	Efter sex månader övergår det till en tillsvidareanställning.	After six months, it will be changed to a permanent contract.
Visstidsanställning (n.)	Fixed-term contract	De 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.)	Boss	De 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

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.

Swedish	English	Swedish Example Sentence	English Example Sentence
Behandling (n.)	Treatment	Som tur var svarade hon väl på behandling.	Fortunately, she responded well to treatment.
Godartad (adj.)	Benign	Det är en godartad tumör.	It is a benign tumor.
Sterilisera (v.)	Sterilize	Ni behöver sterilisera verktygen innan operationen.	You need to sterilize the tools before the operation.
Smittsam (adj.)	Contagious	Sjukdomen är inte smittsam.	The disease is not contagious.
Bedöva (v.)	Anesthetize	Vi kommer att bedöva området innan det första snittet sker.	We will anesthetize the area before the first incision is made.
Allergi (n.)	Allergy	Har du några allergier vi behöver känna till?	Do you have any allergies we need to know about?
Blodtryck (n.)	Blood pressure	Han led av högt blodtryck på grund av övervikt.	He was suffering from high blood pressure due to being overweight.
Fraktur (n.)	Fracture	Röntgen visar på en fraktur i lårbenet.	The X-ray shows a fracture in the femur.
Röntgen (n.)	X-ray	Vi 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.)	Antibiotics	Endast bakteriella infektioner kan behandlas med antibiotika.	Only bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics.
Hjärtattack (n.)	Heart attack	Han avled i en hjärtattack.	He died of a heart attack.
Immunförsvar (n.)	Immune system	Immunförsvaret måste utmanas för att bli starkare.	The immune system must be challenged to become stronger.
Blödning (n.)	Bleeding	Vi måste få stopp på blödningen innan vi syr igen såret.	We have to stop the bleeding before we stitch up the wound.
Vaccinera (v.)	Vaccinate	Det är en sjukdom som går att vaccinera mot.	It is a disease that can be vaccinated against.
Recept (n.)	Prescription	Du behöver ett recept för att få det läkemedlet.	You need a prescription to get that medicine.
Biverkan (n.)	Side effect	Högt blodtryck och yrsel är kända sidoeffekter hos medicineringen.	High blood pressure and dizziness are known side effects of the medication.
Blodprov (n.)	Blood test	Blodprovet visade positivt för olagliga substanser.	The blood test showed positive for illegal substances.
Influensa (n.)	Influenza	Årets influensa ger en ovanligt hög feber.	This year’s influenza gives an unusually high fever.
Klåda (n.)	Itching	Betten kan leda till klåda och rodnad.	The bite can lead to itching and redness.
Menstruation (n.)	Menstruation	Graviditetstest tas vid försenad menstruation.	Pregnancy tests are taken in case of delayed menstruation.
Svalg (n.)	Pharynx	Patienten har halsont med synbar rodnad i svalget.	The patient has a sore throat with visible redness in the pharynx.
Mage (n.)	Stomach	För mycket kryddor gjorde att hon fick ont i magen.	Too much spice made her stomach ache.
Ryggrad (n.)	Spine	Efter olyckan var de noga med att ryggraden hölls stilla.	After the accident, they made sure that the spine was kept still.
Revben (n.)	Ribs	Han knäckte ett revben i matchen.	He broke a rib in the match.
Lungor (n.)	Lungs	Lungorna är skadade av rökning.	The lungs are damaged by smoking.
Infektion (n.)	Infection	Vi 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

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. 

Swedish	English	Swedish Example Sentence	English Example Sentence
Auktoriserad (adj.)	Authorized	Vi hänvisar dig till en auktoriserad återförsäljare.	We refer you to an authorized dealer.
Förlikning (n.)	Settlement	De två parterna nådde en förlikning.	The two parties reached a settlement.
Brottsregister (n.)	Criminal record	Brottsregister kommer att kontrolleras under anställningsprocessen.	Criminal records will be checked during the recruitment process.
Appellationsdomstol (n.)	Court of appeals	Ytterligare klagomål får du ta upp med appellationsdomstolen.	You can take up further complaints with the court of appeals.
Juridiskt biträde (n.)	Legal counsel	Offret saknade juridiskt biträde.	The victim lacked legal counsel.
Rättslig (adj.)	Legal	Det är osannolikt att det leder till rättslig påföljd.	It is unlikely that it will lead to legal repercussions.
Bevis (n.)	Evidence	Vad har ni för bevis för påståendet?	What evidence do you have for the claim?
Kalla (v.)	Summon	Målsäganden kallar sitt första vittne.	Plaintiffs summon their first witness.
Juridiska ombud (n.)	Legal representative	Som anklagad har du rätt till juridiskt ombud.	As an accused, you have the right to a legal representative.
Registrera (v.)	Register	Det är registrerat till protokollet.	It is registered to the protocol.
Tvist (n.)	Dispute	Halva styrelsen är inblandade i rättsliga tvister.	Half the board is involved in legal disputes.
Husrannsakan (n.)	Warrant	Utan husrannsakan kommer ni inte in!	Without a warrant, you will not enter!
Företrädare (n.)	Representative	Jag 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.)	Notary	Vi ber notarien stryka det från protokollet.	We ask the notary to delete it from the minutes.
Skjuta upp (v.)	Postpone	Vi 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.)	Trial	Ni 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 prosecutor	Som allmän åklagare har hon ont om tid.	As a public prosecutor, she is short of time.
Hävda (v.)	Claim	Du hävdar alltså att någon planterade bevismaterialet på dig?	So, you claim that someone planted the evidence on you?
Betalning (n.)	Payment	Skulle betalningen vara sen tillkommer en straffavgift.	Should the payment be late, a penalty fee will be added.
Kidnappning (n.)	Kidnapping	Polisen utreder just nu brottet som en kidnappning.	Police are currently investigating the crime as a kidnapping.
Angripare (n.)	Assailant	Angriparen var tydligt berusad.	The assailant was clearly intoxicated.
Bestickning (n.)	Bribery	Han meddelades avsked på grund av bestickning.	He was fired due to bribery.
Inbrott (n.)	Burglary	Gemene man vill att inbrott bestraffas betydligt hårdare.	The common man wants burglary to be punished much more severely.
Utpressning (n.)	Blackmail	Bilderna användes för utpressning.	The pictures were used for blackmail.
Hot (n.)	Threat	De fick ett antal hot via sociala medier.	They received a number of threats via social media.
Misshandel (n.)	Assault	Han 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.

Swedish	English	Swedish Example Sentence	English Example Sentence
Att börja	To start	Jag börjar varje morgon med frukost.	I start each morning with breakfast.
Att länka	To link	Genom att länka till sidan ökar dess popularitet.	By linking to the page, its popularity increases.
Att skriva	To write	Jag älskar att skriva brev.	I love writing letters.
Att utse	To nominate	Vi kommer att utse dig till borgmästare.	We will appoint you mayor.
Att visa	To show	Glöm inte att visa din legitimation.	Do not forget to show your ID.
Att berömma	To praise	Det är viktigt att berömma dem då de gör något bra.	It is important to praise them when they do something good.
Att ha	To have	Det är bra att ha mat i skafferiet.	It is good to have food in the pantry.
Att säga	To say	Jag har en hel del att säga till skolstyrelsen.	I have a lot to say to the school board.
Att delta	To participate	De riktigt små barnen får pris bara för att delta.	The really small children get a prize just for participating.
Att initiera	To initiate	När du är redo kan du initiera startproceduren.	When you are ready, you can initiate the startup procedure.
Att balansera	To balance	Han balanserade på en lina mellan två skyskrapor.	He balanced on a rope between two skyscrapers.
Att omfamna	To embrace	Låt mig omfamna er i all vänskaplighet!	Let me embrace you in friendship!
Att förbättra	To enhance	Minneskorten kommer att förbättra datorprestandan avsevärt.	The memory cards will significantly improve computer performance.
Att utveckla	To elaborate	Kan du utveckla argumentet lite närmare?	Can you elaborate on the argument a little further?
Att samarbeta	To collaborate	Jag tror vi kan lyckas om vi samarbetar.	I believe we can succeed if we cooperate.
Att framkalla	To evoke	Filmen framkallade sentimentala minnen hos mig.	The film evoked sentimental memories in me.
Att särskilja	To distinguish	Det är svårt att särskilja årets modell från de tidigare.	It is difficult to distinguish this year’s model from the previous ones.
Att artikulera	To articulate	Försök 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.

Swedish	English	Swedish Example Sentence	English Example Sentence
Grundläggande	Fundamental	Rätten till liv är en grundläggande rättighet.	The right to life is a fundamental right.
Bekväm	Comfortable	Hemleverans är en bekväm lösning.	Home delivery is a comfortable solution.
Annorlunda	Different	Hon bar en något annorlunda jacka, med lila tofsar.	She wore a somewhat different jacket, with purple tassels.
Lätt	Easy	Det är inte alltid lätt att stiga upp på morgonen.	Getting up in the morning is not always easy.
Svår	Difficult	Det är en svår fråga, kan du ge mig en ledtråd?	That’s a difficult question; can you give me a clue?
Knepig	Tricky	Vi har hamnat i en knepig situation utan uppenbar lösning.	We have ended up in a tricky situation without an obvious solution.
Obekväm	Inconvenient	Jag blev obekväm i deras sällskap och valde att gå hem.	I became uncomfortable in their company and chose to go home.
Jobbig	Annoying	Han kunde bli jobbig ibland då han kände sig utanför.	He could become annoying sometimes when he felt left out.
Kritisk	Critical	Detta är en kritisk situation och vi måste agera snabbt!	This is a critical situation, and we must act quickly!
Självständig	Independent	Det är en självständig nation och vi saknar auktoritet där.	It is an independent nation and we lack authority there.
Komplicerad	Complicated	Det är en komplicerad maskin som jag inte förstår mig på.	It’s a complicated machine that I do not understand.
Teknisk	Technical	Vårt tekniska kunnande leder oss till framgång.	Our technical know-how leads us to success.
Lycklig	Happy	Sagan fick ett lyckligt slut.	The story had a happy ending.
Underhållande	Entertaining	Det var en underhållande film.	It was an entertaining movie.
Uppfriskande	Refreshing	Vill du ha något uppfriskande att dricka?	Do you want something refreshing to drink?
Gammaldags	Old-fashioned	Det är en gammaldags lösning, men alltjämt effektiv.	It is an old-fashioned solution, but still effective.
Segrande	Victorious	Vi gick segrande ur kampen.	We emerged victorious from the battle.
Charmig	Charming	Han 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.

Swedish	English	Swedish Example Sentence	English Example Sentence
Enkelt	Easily	Han lyfte enkelt vikten över huvudet.	He easily lifted the weight over his head.
Nu	Now	Jag går hem nu.	I’m going home now.
Före	Before	Ät inte godis före middagen.	Do not eat sweets before dinner.
Mer	More	Jag vill ha mer kaka!	I want more cake!
Onormalt	Abnormally	Du sover onormalt mycket nu för tiden.	You sleep abnormally much these days.
Hopplöst	Hopelessly	Hon är hopplöst förälskad i honom.	She is hopelessly in love with him.
Tvivelaktigt	Doubtfully	Han såg tvivelaktigt på mig.	He looked at me doubtfully.
Ljudligt	Noisily	Vagnen rullade ljudligt in på gården.	The cart rolled noisily into the yard.
Intensivt	Intensely	Man kunde höra någon intensivt skratta från grannrummet.	You could hear someone intensely laughing from the next room.
Intressant	Interestingly	Intressant nog pågår seden fortfarande.	Interestingly enough, the custom is still going on.
Oväntat	Unexpectedly	Han sparkade oväntat upp dörren.	He unexpectedly kicked the door open.
Motvilligt	Reluctantly	Hon skrattade motvilligt åt det grova skämtet.	She laughed reluctantly at the crude joke.
Oerhört	Tremendously	Det är en oerhört imponerande trädgård du har!	It is a tremendously impressive garden you have!
Optimistiskt	Optimistically	Nu är det viktigt att vi ser optimistiskt på saken.	At this point, it is important that we look at the matter optimistically.
Knappt	Barely	Han hade knappt fyll sju år.	He had barely celebrated his seventh birthday.
Lydigt	Obediently	De slog lydigt undan med blicken.	They obediently looked away.
Alltid	Always	Det finns alltid plats för en till.	There is always room for one more.
Rasande	Furiously	Han 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. 

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What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing’s for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, “We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us.” The older I get, the more I agree with him!

Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person’s journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you’re planning to stay in Sweden for more than a quick visit, you’re sure to need at least a few ‘life events’ phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it’s generally expected that we will show up with good manners and warm wishes.

Table of Contents

1. Life Events
2. Marriage Proposal Lines
3. Talking About Age
4. Conclusion

1. Life Events

Do you know how to say “Happy New Year” in Swedish? Well, the New Year is a pretty big deal that the whole world is in on! We celebrate until midnight, make mindful resolutions, and fill the night sky with the same happy words in hundreds of languages. No doubt, then, that you’ll want to know how to say it like a local!

Big life events are not all about fun times, though. Real life happens even when you’re traveling, and certain terminology will be very helpful to know. From talking about your new job to wishing your neighbors “Merry Christmas” in Swedish, here at SwedishPod101, we’ve put together just the right vocabulary and phrases for you.

1- Birthday – födelsedag

If you’re like me, any excuse to bring out a pen and scribble a note is a good one. When there’s a birthday, even better: hello, handwriting!

Your Swedish friend will love hearing you wish them a “Happy birthday” in Swedish, but how much more will they appreciate a thoughtful written message? Whether you write it on their Facebook wall or buy a cute card, your effort in Swedish is sure to get them smiling! Write it like this:

Grattis på födelsedagen

Now that you know the words, I challenge you to put them to music and sing your own “Happy birthday” song in Swedish! It’s not impossible to figure out even more lyrics, once you start discovering the language from scratch.

2- Buy – köpa

If there’s a special occasion, you might want to buy somebody a gift. As long as you’ve checked out Swedish etiquette on gift-giving (do a Google search for this!), it will be a lovely gesture. If you’re not sure what to buy, how about the awesome and universally-appealing gift of language? That’s a gift that won’t stop giving!

3- Retire – gå i pension

If you’re planning to expand your mind and retire in Sweden, you can use this word to tell people why you seem to be on a perpetual vacation!

Retirement is also a great time to learn a new language, don’t you think? And you don’t have to do it alone! These days it’s possible to connect to a vibrant learning community at the click of a button. The added benefit of a Daily Dose of Language is that it keeps your brain cells alive and curious about the world. After all, it’s never too late to realize those long-ignored dreams of traveling the globe…

4- Graduation – examen

When attending a graduation ceremony in Sweden, be prepared for a lot of formal language! It will be a great opportunity to listen carefully and see if you can pick up differences from the everyday Swedish you hear.

5- Promotion – befordran

Next to vacation time, receiving a promotion is the one career highlight almost everyone looks forward to. And why wouldn’t you? Sure, it means more responsibility, but it also means more money and benefits and – the part I love most – a change of scenery! Even something as simple as looking out a new office window would boost my mood.

6- Anniversary – årsdag

Some anniversaries we anticipate with excitement, others with apprehension. They are days marking significant events in our lives that can be shared with just one person, or with a whole nation. Whether it’s a special day for you and a loved one, or for someone else you know, this word is crucial to know if you want to wish them a happy anniversary in Swedish.

7- Funeral – begravning

We tend to be uncomfortable talking about funerals in the west, but it’s an important conversation for families to have. Around the world, there are many different customs and rituals for saying goodbye to deceased loved ones – some vastly different to our own. When traveling in Sweden, if you happen to find yourself the unwitting observer of a funeral, take a quiet moment to appreciate the cultural ethos; even this can be an enriching experience for you.

8- Travel – resa

Travel – my favorite thing to do! Everything about the experience is thrilling and the best cure for boredom, depression, and uncertainty about your future. You will surely be forever changed, fellow traveler! But you already know this, don’t you? Well, now that you’re on the road to total Swedish immersion, I hope you’ve downloaded our IOS apps and have your Nook Book handy to keep yourself entertained on those long bus rides.

9- Graduate – ta examen

If you have yet to graduate from university, will you be job-hunting in Sweden afterward? Forward-looking companies sometimes recruit talented students who are still in their final year. Of course, you could also do your final year abroad as an international student – an amazing experience if you’d love to be intellectually challenged and make a rainbow of foreign friends!

10- Wedding – bröllop

One of the most-loved traditions that humans have thought up, which you’ll encounter anywhere in the world, is a wedding. With all that romance in the air and months spent on preparations, a wedding is typically a feel-good affair. Two people pledge their eternal love to each other, ladies cry, single men look around for potential partners, and everybody has a happy day of merrymaking.

Ah, but how diverse we are in our expression of love! You will find more wedding traditions around the world than you can possibly imagine. From reciting love quotes to marrying a tree, the options leave no excuse to be boring!

11- Move – flytta

I love Sweden, but I’m a nomad and tend to move around a lot, even within one country. What are the biggest emotions you typically feel when moving house? The experts say moving is a highly stressful event, but I think that depends on the circumstances. Transitional periods in our lives are physically and mentally demanding, but changing your environment is also an exciting adventure that promises new tomorrows!

12- Be born – född

I was not born in 1993, nor was I born in Asia. I was born in the same year as Aishwarya Rai, Akon, and Monica Lewinsky, and on the same continent as Freddy Mercury. When and where were you born? More importantly – can you say it in Swedish?

13- Get a job – få ett jobb

The thought of looking for a job in a new country can be daunting, but English speakers are in great demand in Sweden – you just have to do some research, make a few friends and get out there! Also, arming yourself with a few Swedish introductions that you can both say and write will give you a confidence boost. For example, can you write your name in Swedish?

14- Die – dö

Death is a universal experience and the final curtain on all other life events. How important is it, then, to fully live before we die? If all you have is a passport, a bucket list, and a willingness to learn some lingo, you can manifest those dreams!

15- Home – hem

If home is where the heart is, then my home is on a jungle island completely surrounded by the turquoise ocean. Right now, though, home is an isolation room with a view of half a dry palm tree and a tangle of telephone wires.

If you’re traveling to Sweden for an extended stay, you’ll soon be moving into a new home quite unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

16- Job – jobb

What job do you do? Does it allow you much time for travel, or for working on this fascinating language that has (so rightfully) grabbed your attention? Whatever your job, you are no doubt contributing to society in a unique way. If you’re doing what you love, you’re already on the road to your dream. If not, just remember that every single task is one more skill to add to your arsenal. With that attitude, your dream job is coming!

17- Birth – födelse

Random question: do you know the birth rate of Sweden?

If you’re lucky enough to be invited to see a friend’s baby just after they are born, you’ll have all my respect and all my envy. There is nothing cuter! Depending on which part of the country you’re in, you may find yourself bearing witness to some pretty unexpected birth customs. Enjoy this privilege!

18- Engaged – förlova

EE Cummings said, “Lovers alone wear sunlight,” and I think that’s most true at the moment she says “yes.” Getting engaged is something young girls dream of with stars in their eyes, and it truly is a magical experience – from the proposal, to wearing an engagement ring, to the big reveal!

In the world of Instagram, there’s no end to the antics as imaginative couples try more and more outrageous ways to share their engagement with the world. I love an airport flashmob, myself, but I’d rather be proposed to on a secluded beach – salt, sand, and all!

Engagement customs around the world vary greatly, and Sweden is no exception when it comes to interesting traditions. Learning their unique romantic ways will inspire you for when your turn comes.

Speaking of romance, do you know how to say “Happy Valentine’s Day” in Swedish?

19- Marry – gifta

The one you marry will be the gem on a shore full of pebbles. They will be the one who truly mirrors your affection, shares your visions for the future, and wants all of you – the good, the bad and the inexplicable.

From thinking up a one-of-a-kind wedding, to having children, to growing old together, finding a twin flame to share life with is quite an accomplishment! Speaking of which…

2. Marriage Proposal Lines

Ah, that heart-stopping moment when your true love gets down on one knee to ask for your hand in marriage, breathlessly hoping that you’ll say “Yes!” If you haven’t experienced that – well, it feels pretty darn good, is all I can say! If you’re the one doing the asking, though, you’ve probably had weeks of insomnia agonizing over the perfect time, location and words to use.

How much more care should be taken if your love is from a different culture to yours? Well, by now you know her so well, that most of it should be easy to figure out. As long as you’ve considered her personal commitment to tradition, all you really need is a few words from the heart. Are you brave enough to say them in Swedish?

3. Talking About Age

Part of the wonder of learning a new language is having the ability to strike up simple conversations with strangers. Asking about age in this context feels natural, as your intention is to practice friendly phrases – just be mindful of their point of view!

When I was 22, I loved being asked my age. Nowadays, if someone asks, I say, “Well, I’ve just started my fifth cat life.” Let them ponder that for a while.

In Sweden, it’s generally not desirable to ask an older woman her age for no good reason, but chatting about age with your peers is perfectly normal. Besides, you have to mention your birthday if you want to be thrown a birthday party!

4. Conclusion

Well, there you have it! With so many great new Swedish phrases to wish people with, can you think of someone who has a big event coming up? If you want to get even more creative, SwedishPod101 has much to inspire you with – come and check it out! Here’s just some of what we have on offer at SwedishPod101:

• Free Resources: Sharing is caring, and for this reason, we share many free resources with our students. For instance, start learning Swedish with our basic online course by creating a lifetime account – for free! Also get free daily and iTunes lessons, free eBooks, free mobile apps, and free access to our blog and online community. Or how about free Vocabulary Lists? The Swedish dictionary is for exclusive use by our students, also for free. There’s so much to love about SwedishPod101…!
• Innovative Learning Tools and Apps: We make it our priority to offer you the best learning tools! These include apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac OSX; eBooks for Kindle, Nook, and iPad; audiobooks; Roku TV and so many more. This means that we took diverse lifestyles into account when we developed our courses, so you can learn anywhere, anytime on a device of your choice. How innovative!
• Live Hosts and One-on-One Learning: Knowledgeable, energetic hosts present recorded video lessons, and are available for live teaching experiences if you upgrade. This means that in the videos, you get to watch them pronounce those tongue-twisters, as if you’re learning live! Add octane to your learning by upgrading to Premium Plus, and learn two times faster. You can have your very own Swedish teacher always with you, ensuring that you learn what you need, when you need to – what a wonderful opportunity to master a new language in record time!
• Start Where You Are: You don’t know a single Swedish word? Not to worry, we’ve absolutely got this. Simply enroll in our Absolute Beginner Pathway and start speaking from Lesson 1! As your learning progresses, you can enroll in other pathways to match your Swedish level, at your own pace, in your own time, in your own place!

Learning a new language can only enrich your life, and could even open doors towards great opportunities! So don’t wonder if you’ll regret enrolling in SwedishPod101. It’s the most fun, easy way to learn Swedish.