Essential Swedish Phrases

Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases. All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get what you need, or where you need to go.

Here are the bare minimum of Swedish words and phrases you need to know to survive.

Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum. If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases, Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.

If you need help with pronunciation,
please see the Pronunciation Guide below.

Here are ten easy phrases to get you started ...

The Top 10 ...

Hej.

Hello.
Hej då.
Goodbye.
Talar du englelska?
Do you speak English?
Jag förstår inte.
I don't understand.
Lite.
A little.
Ja. Nej.
Yes. No.
Hur mycket kostar det?

How much is it?
För dyrt. OK.
Too expensive. OK.
Tack.
Snälla.
Please.
Tack (så mycket).
Thank you (very much).

Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions ... The Top 20 ...
	Vad heter du ? What is your name? Jag heter ... My name is ... Hur står det till? How are you? Bra. Och du? Fine. And you? Var är ...? Where is ...? Var är toaletten? Herrar/Damer Where is the toilet? Men/Women Förlåt. Ursäkta mig. Sorry. Excuse me. Inga problem. No problem. Jag vill ... I want ... Jag vill inte ... I don't want ...

Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around ...

The Top 30 ...

Varifrån kommer du?
Where are you from?
Jeg är från Australien.
I am from Australia.
Räkningen, tack.
The bill, please.
Jag har gått vilse.
I'm lost.
Stanna! Vänta!
Stop! Wait!
Här, där, där borta.
Here, there, over there.
Taxi. Hotell. Flygplats. Station.
Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Station.
Jag gillar ...
I like ...
Jag gillar inte ...
I don't like ...

ett, två, tre, fyra, fem.
one, two, three, four, five.
sex, syv, åtta, nio, tio.
six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

*Or choose your country:
Amerika - America
Kanada - Canada
England - England
Irland - Ireland
Nya Zeeland - New Zealand

Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies ...

Useful Extras ...

Skål!
Cheers!

bra / dålig
good / bad
stor / liten
big / small
nära / långt
near / far
mindre / mer
less / more
en annan / tillräckligt
another / enough

Jag är vegetarian.
I am vegetarian.
Jag äter inte køtt.
I don't eat meat.
... kyckling.
... chicken.
... fisk.
... fish.

Jag är allergisk mot nötter.
I am allergic to nuts.
... jordnötter.
... peanuts.
... fisk.
... fish.
... fisk och skalldjur.
... seafood.
... ägg.
... eggs.

Pronunciation Guide

Vowels:
ä is pronounced as a as in hat or e as in pet (ɛ)
å is pronounced as o as in note (IPA o)
unstressed e is pronounced as e as in brother (ə)
long o is pronounced as u
ö is pronounced as ir as in bird (ø)
u is pronounced as Swedish y but with compressed not protruded lips (ʉ)
y is pronounced as German ü, ie. an i with rounded lips (IPA y)

Consonants:
j is pronounced as y as in yet (IPA j)
g before ä, e, i, ö or y and gj are pronounced as y as in yet (IPA j)
k is pronounced as k as in kick, with a puff of air (kʰ)
k before ä, i, ö or y, kj and tj are pronounced as a tense sh, sh + y (ɕ)
p is pronounced as p as in pat, with a puff of air (pʰ)
rd, rl, rn, rs and rt are pronounced as retroflex consonants (ɖ ɭ, ɳ ʂ and ʈ), the r is silent
(Hint: Retroflex consonants are made with the tongue curled back against the palate.)
sj, skj and sk before ä, e, i, ö or y are pronounced as a breathy cross between sh, f and kh (ɧ)
t is pronounced as t as in top, with a puff of air (tʰ)

Please note:
de and dem are pronounced as dom
och is pronounced as o
mig, dig and sig and pronounced as mej, dej and sej
nio and tio are pronounced niə and tiə

The two tones used in Swedish words are often heard as a singsong voice.