Language Cheat Sheet: Swedish

Basic phrases to help you read signs and get around in Sweden.

Swedish, like Norwegian and Danish, is a Germanic language, so many Aglophones will recognize some words they see and hear in Sweden. Besides Sweden, Swedish is also spoken in Finland, particularly in western Finland and the Aland Islands, since Finland was part of Sweden from 1259 - 1809. Here are some key English to Swedish phrases to help you make your way around Sweden, whether you are in Stockholm, the Arctic Circle, or anywhere in between.

GREETINGS and CONVERSATION

English - Swedish

• Hello - Hej (said like the English “hey”)
• Goodbye – Adjö/Hej då
• Yes - Ja
• No – Nej
• Please – Snålla/Vånligen
• Thank you – Tack
• You’re welcome – Det är bra/Vänligen
• Excuse me/sorry – Ursäkta mig/Förlåt
• Do you speak English? – Talar du engleska?
• What’s your name? –Vad heter du?
• My name is… - Jag heter…

SHOPPING and SERVICES

English - Swedish

• bank - bank
• chemist/pharmacy – aptotek
• market - marknaden
• newsagent – pappers handel
• tourist office – turistinformation
• hotel – hotel
• breakfast - frukost

TRANSPORTATION

English – Swedish

• airport - flygplats
• boat – bådten
• bus (city) – stadsbussen
• bus (intercity) – landsortsbussen
• car – bil
• bicycle - cykel
• bus stop – busshållplats
• train – tåget
• train station – tågstation
• tram – spårvagnen
• one way ticket – en enkelbiljett
• return ticket – en returbijlett
• timetable - tidtabell

EMERGENCIES

English - Swedish

• Help! – Hjälp!
• Call a doctor! – Ring efter doktor!
• Call the police – Ring polisen!
• Go away! – Försvinn!

SIGNS

English – Swedish

• Entrance - Ingång
• Exit - Utgång
• Open – Öppet
• Closed - Stängt
• Prohibited - Förbjudet
• Toilets – Toalett
• Men’s Toilet - Herrar
• Women – Damer
• Rooms Available – Lediga Rum
• No Vacancies - Fullt

For seafood and fish translations, visit the Nordic Fish Guide. For basic phrases in other Nordic languages, see the Norwegian, Danish, or Finnish language cheat sheets. Go to the Swedish Language Upgrade to learn newly created Swedish words.

English to Swedish translations taken from Lonely Planet Scandinavia, 7th Edition, February 2005 and Lexin Swedish English Online Dictionary.