There are many ways to say hello in swedish and it is easy. There are no formalities as in French or latin languages. People also do not distinguish temporal periods to say hello (compared to bonjour, bonsoir, bonnuit).
In english: hello, hi, hey!
På svenska (in swedish): hej, hejsan, tjena, tja, tjenare, hallå
However, you should restrict tjena and it’s similar forms to younger people; it would not be said to an elderly person.
And how to say goodbye in swedish? Hejdå or hej. Yes it is a bit confusing to use hej for both hi and bye in Swedish. But as we know, nordic languages are not that hard.
In english: to look at, check out
På svenska (in swedish): kolla (på)
Example: -Nu ska vi kolla på film? Should we see the movie now?
Kolla din mail. Check your mail.
In english: to drink coffee
På svenska (in swedish): fika (verb)
På svenska (in swedish): en fika (noun)
Compound phrase: en fikapaus – a coffee break
Example: Ska vi ta en fika på lördag? Shall we go for a coffee on Saturday?
Fika is an interesting word because it serves as both a verb and a noun. Swedes consider having a coffee an important part of the culture. You can fika at work by taking a “coffee break,” fika with someone like a “coffee date,” or just drink a cup of coffee.
This is a great way to get to know Swedes and become part of the culture.
Sven also wrote: Ett skandinaviskt kulturfenomen främst rotat i Sverige som beskriver en ceremoni med syfte att främja det sociala mötet. Att fika betyder alltså i klarspråk ett möte mellan två eller flera personer där kaffe och fikabröd åtnjuts i trevligt sällskap.
In english: i don’t believe it
På svenska (in swedish): det går inte i mig Jag kan inte tro det är sant; or; Det är helt otroligt
(i made a mistake and thank you for noting!)
In english- På svenska (in swedish)
pet animal- sällskapdjur
cage, hutch- en bur
to play- leka (present: leker)
to crawl, huddle- krypa (kryper)
sandbox- en sandlåda
digger- en grävmaskin
cuddling time- kelstund
to cuddle- gosa
owner- ägare
In english: a girl, chick
På svenska (in swedish): tjej
plural indefinite (girls): tjejer
plural definite (the girls): tjejerna
In english: a dude, guy, boy
På svenska (in swedish): en kille
plural indefinite: killar
plural definite: killarna
Example: Det är en snygg kille! That’s a cute guy.
In english: to drink heavily
På svenska (in swedish): Supa
Example: Ikväll ska vi supa. Tonight we’re going to get wasted.
In english: to eat (slang)
På svenska (in swedish): käka
Example: Ska vi käka? Shall we eat?
In english: the 13th day after Christmas (Epiphany)
På svenska (in swedish): Trettondedag Jul or Trettondagen
phrase | sweden-admin | 
February 6, 2009 4:28 pm | 
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