Swedish is spoken by around 10 million people in Sweden and Finland (where it is co-official). From Stockholm to Gothenburg, from Malmo to Umea: with this kit, you have the bare minimum to get by in Sweden and to recognize the most widely spoken Scandinavian language.
Swedish (svenska) is spoken by around 10 million people, mainly in Sweden where it is the official language, and in Finland where it has co-official status for the Swedish-speaking minority (300,000 speakers). It belongs to the North Germanic language family, alongside Norwegian and Danish, with which it maintains partial mutual intelligibility, especially in writing. For French speakers, Swedish presents several specifics: a tonal system with two distinctive accents (which can change the meaning of a word), three additional letters after z (a, a, o), and specific sounds like the "sj" which sounds between "sh" and "h". Grammar is relatively simple: no person conjugations, two genders (common and neuter), and a fairly flexible word order. Common vocabulary is often transparent for those who know English or German. Culturally, Sweden is known for its clean design, egalitarian values, intimate relationship with nature, and untranslatable concepts like lagom (just right) and fika (the ritual coffee break). Swedes are known to be reserved but of great integrity: trust is earned slowly and kept long. This kit gathers the bare essentials to handle an airport arrival, a taxi ride, a restaurant order, a medical emergency and a smooth departure. You will find indispensable greetings, survival phrases for orientation, key words for eating and sleeping, as well as cultural tips to avoid faux pas. Memorize these expressions before leaving and you will gain confidence from the very first hours on site.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You land at Stockholm Arlanda in the early evening. The arrivals hall is calm and well organized. An agent meets your gaze, you greet him and ask for directions.
The taxi driver loads your suitcase and asks for your destination. You give him the hotel address, you want to check the price before leaving, then you will ask him to stop right in front of the entrance.
You enter a typical restaurant in the early evening. The waiter seats you and hands you the menu. You hesitate over the daily special and ask for advice before ordering water and the bill.
You feel sick after a meal and you need help quickly. You ask where the nearest hospital is and you mention that you are allergic to certain foods.
On the morning of departure, you want to confirm check-out time at the reception, then catch a taxi to the airport. Before leaving, you warmly say goodbye to the hotel staff.
What you need to know before travelling to a swedish-speaking country.
In modern Swedish, the informal "du" is universal, even with strangers, superiors, or elderly people. The formal "ni" fell out of use after the "du-reformen" of the 1970s.
Swedish culture greatly values personal space and silence. Do not be surprised if strangers on a bus or in a queue do not strike up a conversation.
The concept of "lagom" (not too much, not too little, just right) permeates society: architecture, meals, clothing, behavior. It is a key to understanding Swedish modesty.
The "fika" (coffee break with pastries) is a daily ritual, almost a social right. Accepting a fika at work or with friends is a sign of belonging.
Swedes are generally excellent in English. Don't worry if your Swedish is limited: they will naturally switch to English with kindness.
Removing shoes when entering someone's home is an almost systematic rule. Check if there are shoes in the entrance before keeping yours on.
Punctuality is sacred, privately and professionally. Arriving five minutes early is the norm. Being late without notice is frowned upon.
Tipping is not expected: service is included everywhere. Rounding up the bill in restaurants is appreciated but never mandatory.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Ja
yah
Yes
Nej
nay
No
Tack
tahk
Thank you
Varsagod
VAHR-saw-good
You're welcome / Here you go
Forlat
fur-LOAT
Sorry
Vatten
VAT-ten
Water
Mat
maht
Food
Hotell
ho-TELL
Hotel
Flygplats
FLUG-plats
Airport
Sjukhus
SHOOK-hoos
Hospital
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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