Basic Swedish Phrases, Words & Common Sentences – for Your Trip to Sweden

Jag pratar inte svenska. – I don’t speak Swedish.

… but soon you will. Well, at least some basic Swedish ;)

Are you going to Sweden? For a trip, work or maybe a semester abroad? You probably haven’t learned any Swedish yet. No Problem, Swedes speak excellent English. So you can communicate without learning a single Swedish word.

But, of course, learning a few basic Swedish sentences, to impress the attractive shop assistant or barkeeper can’t be wrong.

Top 10 Tips: Learning Swedish Fast – for Beginners & Advanced Learners

To get prepared for simple Swedish conversations, here are basic Swedish sentences and phrases for Sweden tourists.

Basic Swedish survival phrases for travelers

Say Hello in Swedish

Let’s get started with the number 1 word you have to know in Swedish…

Swedish for Hello

Hej! – Hello!

Alternatively you can also say:

• Hallå!

More Swedish greetings

• Formal: God morgon/dag/kväll – Good morning/day/evening
• Formal person trying to be funny (old style): Goddagens – Good day/hello
• Buddy-level: Tjenare – Hi
• Close buddy: Tja (short form of tjenare) – Yo
• Buddy who is fed up saying tjenare or tja too often: Tjabba – Yooo

At arrival at someone’s place, the host says to the guest

• Välkommen! – Welcome!

Or

• Välkommen in! – Welcome in!

Basic Swedish sentences & phrases

How to say I don’t speak english in Swedish

• Jag pratar inte svenska – I don’t speak Swedish

Introduce yourself in Swedish

My name is … in Swedish

• Hej, jag heter … – Hello, my name is … 

What is your name in Swedish

• Vad heter du? – What is your name?

Swedish words and phrases for your flirt or small talk in Sweden, here

How are you in Swedish

• Hur mår du? – How are you? (formal)
• Hur är läget? – What’s up? (informal)

Funny Swedish Words & Phrases (bra, puss, kock & more)

How to say “I love you” in Swedish

• Jag älskar dig! – I love you!

Please in Swedish

• .., snälla. – …, please. 
• … är du snäll. – Could you … (like in “Skulle du kunna sätta dig, är du snäll?” – “Would you please sit down?”)

You’re welcome in Swedish

• Varsådgod! – You’re welcome!

How to say yes in Swedish

• Ja – Yes

Sorry in Swedish

• Förlåt – Sorry

Alternatively:

• Ursäkta – Excuse me

Thank you in Swedish, formal

• Tack! – Thank you!
• Tack så mycket! – Thanks a lot!

Thank you in Swedish, informal

• Tack som fan! – Thanks (lit.) like the devil!  (I know, sounds funny. Swedes use a lot of “devil” in their language. But more about that further below.)

Swedish phrase for good luck

• Lycka till! – Good luck!

Swedish swear sentences

• Håll din jävla skäft! – Shut the fuck up!
• Jävla fitta! – (lit. Devilish cunt) Fucking cunt!
• Stick, din jävel! – (lit. Walk off you devil!) Piss off!

Popular Swedish swear words, here

Swedish word to say when someone sneezes

In Sweden isn’t considered impolite not to say anything when someone sneezes. Sometimes you hear someone saying the following:

• Prosit! – Bless you!

Swedish phrase for goodbye

• Hejdå – Goodbye

More from Hej Sweden about the Swedish language

• Top 10 Tips: Learning Swedish Fast – for Beginners & Advanced Learners
• Funny Swedish Words & Phrases
• Swedish national anthem (lyrics in Swedish and English)
• Swedish alphabet: A-Z/Ö

slut – finish