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! – [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
February 19th- Upptagen
In english: busy
På svenska (in swedish): upptagen
Ex: Är du upptagen för middag? Are you busy for dinner?
Jag är upptagen men jag kommer snart. I’m busy but I will come soon.
Feb 17th- Vetja
In english: you know, ya know
På svenska (in swedish): vetja (shortened from “vet jag”)
Ex: Om du twittrar på svenska kolla in förteckningen på Svenskar Twitters vetja
Feb 14th- Valentine Day
In english: Valentine’s Day
På svenska (in swedish): Alla hjärtans dag
Swedes don’t care for Valentine’s Day as it is considered a commercial, Hallmark and chocolate candy soul sucking holiday. (okay, mine strong viewpoint at least) You will see a little bit here and there of stores having red hearts and little chocolates. But if you [...]
February 6th- Hej Hejda
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 [...]
To ask in Swedish – Kolla
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.
Meaning of Fika
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 [...]