Ordbajsa – Bullshitting in Swedish

Best word ever on when you write a report and have to stuff it with extra words.

In english- bullshitting, word shitting, literally translated as “word pooping”
På svenska- ordbajsa – verb

Bajsa – verb- to poop

Next time you need to add more words to a paper and make it lengthy, just know you are ordbasja.

Gott Nytt År – Happy New Year in Swedish

Gott Nytt År – Happy New Year in Swedish

År is an ett ord, hence why god is gott and ny is nytt. Remember if you are using en or ett word, then the corresponding adjectives must match.

Swedish Christmas Words to Know

Here’s a quick list of words you should know around christmastime.

Advent – Advent
Boxing Day – Annandag Jul
Chimney – Skorsten
Christmas – Jul
Christmas carol – Julsång
Christmas table/dinner – Julbord
Christmas Day – Juldagen
Christmas Eve – Julafton
Christmas Ham – Julskinka
Christmas present – Julklapp
Christmas-tree – Julgran
Happy New Year! – Gott Nytt År!
Gingerbread cookies – Pepparkaka
Jingle Bells – Bjällerklang
Merry Christmas! – God Jul!
Mulled spiced wine – Glögg
New Year’s Day – Nyårsdagen
New Year’s Eve – Nyårsafton
Reindeer – Ren
Rice pudding – Risgrynsgröt
Santa Claus – Jultomten
Silent Night, Holy Night – Stilla Natt
Sleigh – Släde
Star – Stjärna
Twelfth Day – Trettondagen

A silly bean – Knäppgök

A cute affectionate word to call your sweetie when they are a bit silly.

In swedish: Knäppgök, plural Knäppgökarna

In english: silly, funny, kookie

Midsommar – Summer Solstice words to know

Midsommar is the most important Swedish holiday of the year. Need to know what you are eating, drinking, or singing about? Here’s are Swedish words to know for Midsommar.

Sommarsolståndet – Summer solstice
Midsommarafton – midsummer eve
Midsommar- midsummer
schnaps or snaps – an aquavit or Swedish hard liquor
Gravad lax – specially smoked salmon; delicious!
färskpotatis – fresh potatoes or new potatoes
gräddfil – sour cream
Gräslök – green onions
jordgubbar – Strawberries
Sill – pickled herring
Senap – mustard

Små grodorna – small frogs; a song to sing around the maypole
midsommarstång or majstång – maypole

Studentflak Drunk Students in Sweden

Studentflak is the word to use for graduating high school seniors. They wear those funny sailor hats, drive around in those big trucks around the city, especially in Stockholm, and drink a lot.

They are obnoxious and can be found in the open topped trucks in late May, early June during graduation season in Sweden.

Flygande Jakob – Bad Swedish Food

Flygande Jakob is a terrible and disgusting Swedish dish. It is a very traditional dish that has bacon, bananas, chicken, and peanuts. Potatoes and maybe some other vegetables may be involved. Avoid this food at any cost!

Common Swedish Phrases

A few common Swedish phrases to know

ursäkta mig excuse me, as in to get someone’s attention, to get past someone
Saying sorry
förlåt sorry
Pratar du engelska? Do you speak English?

Swedish comprehension

Jag pratar inte svenska I do not speak Swedish
Jag pratar lite svenska I speak a little Swedish
Jag pratar väldigt lite svenska I only speak very little Swedish
Var snäll och prata långsammare Please speak more slowly
Kan du säga det igen? Could you repeat that?
Engång till? Say that again

Jag förstår I understand
Jag förstår inte I don’t understand

Mjolka To Milk

mjölka- to milk a cow, to milk someone for information

Do You Smoke

Many Swedes smoke

röker du? do you smoke?

ja, jag röker yes, I smoke
nej, jag röker inte no, I don’t smoke

gör det något om jag röker? do you mind if I smoke?

vill du ha en cigarette? would you like a cigarette?

har du en cigarette över? have you got a spare?
har du eld? Do you have a light?

jag har slutat röka I stopped smoking
jag har gett upp I gave up smoking
jag försöker att sluta I’m trying to quit