Language is the key to all the cultural doors of society. Even a simple ‘hello’ said in the local language is enough to receive that smile of appreciation and friendliness.
I want to share some basic Swedish expressions and phrases used on a daily basis. The goal is to clarify how these common words are used in different contexts. I hope this will help Newbies who have just arrived in Sweden.
Tack!
You probably already know this one. It means ‘thank you’ in general terms. However, when someone says: Tack! Det är bra! Then it actually means denial, and you should not offer more.
In some contexts, it also means ‘please’. Like this dialogue:
Vad vill du ha? – What do you want to have?
En kopp kaffe, Tack! – One cup of coffee, please!
There are other variations like:
- Tack! Tack! – Thanks! Thanks!
- Tack så mycket!– Thank you so much
- Tack snälla!– Thank you kindly
- Tack själv!– Thank you (as in thank you right back)
- Tusen Tack! – A thousand thanks
- Tack ska du ha! – Thank you
- Tack på förhand! – Thank you in advance
Grattis!
This is another commonly used expression which means ‘Congratulations’. It is used in most events, from small to large achievements or special moments in life. Examples are new jobs, births, marriage, buying a house/car, professional achievements etc. Even on birthdays, one can say Grattis! or ‘Grattis på födelsedagen!‘ Belated wishes can be conveyed like ‘Grattis i efterskott’.
Varsågod
It is a combination of three words Var+ Så+ God. The expression means ‘There you are!’ But it has different meanings depending on how it is used.
If someone says ‘Tack‘, it is responded to ‘Varsågod’. Here it means ‘you’re welcome’ in English.
If I put a bowl full of cookies and say ‘Varsågod’, I am inviting you to help yourself to the cookies.
‘Varsågod och sitt!’ Here it means – Please, sit.
Phrases for emergencies
- Help – Hjälp
- Can you help me- Kan du hjälpa mig?
- I need help – Jag behöver hjälp
- It is an emergency – det är akut
- Can I borrow your phone? – Får jag låna din telefon?
- Thief! – Tjuv!
- There is a fire! – Det Brinner!
- Accident – Olycka
- Jag är sjuk – I am sick
- I need a doctor – Jag behöver en läkare!
- It hurts here – Det gör ont här
- Stop! – Stanna!
- Run away! – Spring iväg!
- You will be fine – Du kommer att bli bra.
- Where is the pharmacy? – Var ligger apoteket?
- Do you speak English? – Talar du engelska?
Other useful phrases
- Excuse me! – Ursäkta!
- Forgive me, Sorry – Förlåt
- How are you? – Hur mår du
- I am fine, Thank you! – Jag mår bra, Tack!
- Good Morning! – God Morgon!
- Good bye – Hej Då!
- Say hello to Maria!- Hälsa Maria!
- Please – Snälla
- I am sorry – Jag är ledsen
- No idea – Ingen aning
- I do not know – Jag vet inte
- I love you! – Jag älsker dig!
- I miss you! – Jag saknar dig!
- Kiss and hug- Puss och kram
- Thank God! – Tack och lov
- Oh my god! – Herregod!
- It is Wonderful! – Det är Underbart!
- Have a nice weekend – Trevlig Helg!
I welcome everyone to add other basic phrases that can help ‘newly arrived’ people in Sweden. I am sure there are many which can be added to this.
Varsågod!!
Want to learn more Swedish?
If this article has just whetted your appetite for the weird and wonderful Swedish language, there are a lot of different ways for you to learn. SFI, group, private or digital.
Further reading
Liked this post? We have a lot more on the Swedish language written by our newbie bloggers. Read on and see if you find a post you like.
FAQs
How do I choose a vårdcentral (health centre)?
Find and register with a local centre via 1177.se.
Is emergency care available without a personnummer?
Emergency care is available; routine care and subsidies typically require a personnummer.
Who do I call for medical advice?
Dial 1177 for nurse advice; call 112 for emergencies.
Healthcare Fees & High‑Cost Protection
Regions set patient fees. A national högkostnadsskydd caps your outpatient costs over 12 months. After reaching the cap, further visits are free for the remainder of that period.
Official sources
Need more on what the most common Swedish words are? See the resources below.
